Neon Coffee Roasters
Kelowna, BC, Canada
Beneficio Comunitario San Pedro, established in 2018, serves as a vital meeting point for over 169 Tsotsil coffee growers from Cotzilnam and eight nearby communities in the highlands of Chiapas. This initiative marked the beginning of a new approach for these farmers to foster relationships within their community, evolving into a continuous exchange of knowledge and learning. The goal of the Beneficio is to cultivate true partnerships with producers: relationships that transcend mere transactions. As work partners, they listen, ask questions, contribute, collaborate, and support each other, leading to personal connections that deepen their bond and enhance their shared commitment. Inez VĂĄzquez is the Tzotsil woman who leads the Beneficio Comunitario. She was born and raised in San Pedro Cotsilnam and lives there now with her family. During the harvest, they join her in the labor, along with friends, volunteers, family members, and coworkers who want to be a part of this relationship model. The agronomy team at CafeologĂa (our export partner), together with IneÌz, works alongside these farmers, who are predominantly women, dedicated to cultivating traditional coffee varieties. They primarily use organic and low-intervention practices, contributing to the unique and expressive cup profiles their coffees are known for. Despite challenges such as low production and planting density, these farmers rely heavily on family labor during the harvest season. During the latest harvest, 63 tons of fresh cherries were processed from these small-scale producers, with traditional varieties like Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, and Garnica, resulting in a coffee with a balanced cup profile.
Caramel
Blueberry
Citrus
Type
Single Origin
Origin
Chiapas, Mexico
Species
Arabica
Varieties
Typica, Bourbon, Caturra
Process
Honey
Altitude
1600m
Producer
Beneficio Comunitario