Don Marcos, Nicaragua

A Different World: El Recuerdo

We were excited to revisit Don Marcos when we visited earlier this year. The drive there felt like entering another world compared to Guatemala, or even Dipilto. A long, barren road leads into the mountains. Hot, dry, scarred by remnants of logging days past. An atmosphere of dead industry and nothingness.

Then, after an hour, it changes. As if by magic. Over a stream, into greenness and biodiversity. Life floods back into the soil, the wind whispers through the trees. The land feels alive and thriving.

Our relationship with Marcos is one of our proudest. He owns seven hectares, split between his six children. They live and work alongside him, coffee their primary income. Back in 2021, his coffee was blended with lower quality regional coffees. He wasn't receiving the quality premiums he deserved.

This is our third year buying his coffee. Each year, we've worked to increase its value. This year, we bought everything he had: 20 bags of washed coffee for our Trust range, and two bags of naturally processed—his first ever. We promised to buy it no matter the outcome, guaranteeing his investment wouldn't be wasted. Seeing Marcos processing this coffee was emotional. To have such a direct, positive impact is humbling.