BULESSA WASHING STATION, ETHIOPIA - Yallah Coffee

CATARINA RAMIREZ MENDEZ GUATEMALA

£15.80

As coffee buyers our job does not get much better than meeting producers, spending time with them on their farms and learning about their lives; we may only do this a couple times a year but it is always a special experience. Of our travels over the years, meeting Catarina Mendez is assuredly a highlight; charismatic, charming and funny, it was impossible not to fall in love with what she has built with her family. These are the moments we pray for and remember for a long time to come.

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Roast Profile

Roast Profile

Light Roast

Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes

Raspberry, Tropical Fruits, Caramel

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BUYING STANDARDS

It’s really important for us to work with trusted partners in our supply chain who can provide us with honesty and traceability. We have created a set of guidelines to help us source coffee in a way we feel aligns with our values and beliefs. There are three core categories that we think outline the most important factors to consider when purchasing coffee: economic transparency, social relationship, and environmental efforts.

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OUR PACKAGING

Our 250g bags are 100% plastic-free and can be recycled with your household paper or composted in your garden. We recommend storing your coffee in an airtight container like this one. Our 1kg bags are home compostable but not domestically recyclable, please don't put them in your curbside recycling. The planet thanks you!

Details

Producer

Catarina Ramirez Mendez

Origin

Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Variety

Caturra, Bourbon

Process

Washed

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Guatemala is renowned for its exceptional coffee quality. Coffee production and export has always been an important part of Guatemalan economy and culture, with the country being the eighth largest exporter of coffee in the world. Coffees from Guatemala tend to be appreciated for their sweetness and balance in the cup due to its high altitude and volcanic soils.

meet the producer

Catarina Ramirez Mendez

Catarina was our first visit on this year's trip to Huehuetenango, Guatemala - we couldn’t have dreamt of a more perfect start. A short walk down the side of the mountain to Finca Gomez leads to the most incredible view imaginable, beneath the farm sits the open valley with views across to the adjacent mountain ranges. Our mouths permanently agape as we consumed the landscape surrounding the farm, which the term paradise does not do justice. Catarina spoke to us about the history of the farm, how her husband moved to the USA so he could earn money which he would send back to help start the farm, a sacrifice that is just unimaginable to us.

This visit drastically changed our perspective on female producers in coffee growing regions, as we learned to a large extent that women farm coffee out of necessity, not out of choice, and most of the time while their husbands are away working. As ever we are in awe of the work and sacrifice made by producers as we strive to represent their work and lives as best we can.

Social Relationships

Female Producer

In many coffee growing countries, the concept of women owning coffee farms is still uncommon and in some places, prohibited by government laws. Yet women contribute a staggering amount of the labour involved in producing coffee, from picking the cherries to hand sorting and processes. Supporting female producers and co-ops is crucial to eliminating the gender gap in coffee.

BUYING STANDARDS
EDUCATION

Brew Guides

Tried and tested recipes from the roastery.

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