Latin America

In March, Mocha Joe's sent Sales Manager & Green Coffee Buyer Bill to Guatemala in search of a great new coffee for the 2024-25 season. Bill traveled around the country, met farmers, learned about their challenges and successes, and tasted some GREAT coffee. He came back with a classic smooth and chocolatey organic Guatemala coffee from San Martin Jilotepeque, a small coffee growing region nestled in the mountains north of Guatemala City. Some nice citrus and tea notes when light roasted.

The small family farms from San Martin Jilotepeque organized under the Asproguate farmer’s association in 2014. Ninety-five percent of members are organic certified so Asproguate holds monthly workshops in organic fertilizers, fungicides, and insecticides so producers can make these essential products on their own farms. The farmers showed Bill how they make a fresh garlic infused organic pesticide that protects the coffee and the environment.

They also train on other agricultural practices like erosion mitigation and shade cover plus social program for women and children in the area. Fifty-five percent of producer members are women.

The coffee is sent to Dinamica Coffee in Guatemala City to be processed and sorted. State if the art mechanical sorters sift out defects and sort by size for an incredibly clean bean that you can taste in the cup.