MEXICO Oaxaca. Brown Sugar, Raisins, Plum.

Country: Mexico

Region: Oaxaca

Farm: Oaxacan State Coffee Producers Network (CEPCO)

Variety: Red Catuai

Process: Fully Washed

Altitude: 1300 masl

Certification: Direct Trade

 

In 1989, after the Mexican government abandoned the coffee sector because of budget cuts, the Oaxacan State Coffee Producers Network (CEPCO) was established. CEPCO was able to unite small producers throughout the Oaxacan region and uses the revenue from their Fair Trade sales to provide credit and savings support for its members, promote women’s organization and technical assistance to families, provide life insurance for members and to fund infrastructure improvements. Currently 90% of CEPCO’s farmers own less than 2 hectares.

Mexican coffee is often overlooked for cheap grades which were commonly on the market for so long had a more ashy quality to the cup. In recent years and with a lot of hard work, Mexican specialty lots have become clean and balanced, nice strong chocolaty tones with fruity acidity which often co-mingles into a nice caramel nutty note.