The Mexican Chiapas El Triunfo is sourced from family-owned farms organized by Cooperativa Campesinos Ecológicos de la Sierra Madre de Chiapas. The producers are heartily dedicated to organic practices that protect more than 800 plant species and 390 bird species that inhabit El Triunfo.

Chiapas El Triunfo FTO evokes a mellow, sweet citric taste in this medium-bodied cup with a cocoa flavor and a nutty aftertaste.

Home to the greatest number of Spanish speakers in the world, Mexico’s rich history and traditions captivates us all! The culture of Mexico today is a blend of influences handed down by a manifold of civilizations dating back to the early Mesoamerican era. Mexico’s citizens are immensely proud of their heritage and nation, which reflects in the meanings behind the colors of the nation’s flag. Green symbolizes hope and victory, white stands for the purity of Mexican philosophy and red represents the blood shed by the country’s heroes.

On November 1st, the people of Mexico observe “Dia de los Muertos,” or “Day of the Dead,” to honor the lives lost while celebrating the continuation of life. It is a time for commemorating ancestors with whom many believe that they can communicate with during the rituals of this holiday.

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Header Photo Credit: Tim Mossholder

Since the beginning of human history, Kenya has been inhabited by diverse groups of people. The first to occupy the land were tribal hunter gatherers, followed by the farming civilization from the Horn of Africa and the agriculturalists from Sudan.

Today, Kenya is one of the most artistic and community-oriented cultures around the world. Kenyans’ creativity is found in the nation’s literature, theater, music, dance and visual arts. “Harambee,” the Bantu word meaning “to pull together,” reflects the importance of unity within the country.

“Kichwa Tembo” directly translates to “elephant head” in Swahili, one of the two official languages in Kenya. The name of the cup symbolizes the strength that goes into creating this one of a kind specialty.

Kichwa Tembo coffee offers a tropically sweet profile, complemented with a creamy body and balanced with a tangy acidity. The finish is a smooth mouthfeel with lingering chocolate, lemon and almond flavor notes.

In partnership with Wildlife Works Elephant Protection Trust, Kenya is committed to securing a future for elephants – one that protects their habitats that are threatened by human-wildlife conflict. The mission is to build an ecosystem where elephants and all wild animals can live in peace with their human counterparts.

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Header Photo Credit: Harvey Sapir

The meaning of the country’s name, “depths”, was given by Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage over the deep waters at the mouth of the Tinto O Negro River off the Mosquito Coast. This beautiful land is home to indigineous peoples, including the Lenka and Miskito peoples.

One thing Hondurans can’t live without is music! The sounds of salsa and cumbia are booming in homes, bars and on the streets. Walking through the Bay Islands will greet you with classic Caribbean tunes, calypso and reggae, the order of the day. Let’s not forget the Copán Ruins, one of the most spectacular cities of the ancient Mayan civilization. While exploring the ruins lying in Honduras’ lush valleys, you’ll come across beautiful stone temples, hieroglyphs, stelae, and even wild animals like the guacamayas, sloths, macaws and monkeys.

The Honduras Copán Ruinas comes from the Duke Family’s “San Isidro” farm where women play an essential role in producing specialty coffee. They are passionately devoted to collecting the beans, checking for quality and selecting the beans for coffee exportation.

In your cup, the Honduras Copán Ruinas delivers a pleasant acidity with coated sweetness and tasting notes of honeydew, almond and chocolate.

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Header Photo Credit: JuanCernas

From breathtaking landscapes to cheeky monkeys roaming its national parks, Costa Rica is the ultimate destination for adventure-seekers. It’s no surprise that this richly biodiverse place is recognized as the happiest country on Earth. Locals greet you with warm smiles and expressions of “pura vida,” meaning “pure life.” The Costa Rican terrain that inspires to live life to its fullest is loved by locals, tourists, and Arabica beans alike.

History

Costa Rica started planting coffee in the late 1700s, making it the first Central American country to have an established coffee industry. The mountainous regions, temperate climate, and farmers’ commitment to the growing process have created an oasis for the production of high-grade coffee.

What differentiates Costa Rica from other coffee-growing countries is the use of micro mills, which paved the way for honey processing: a hybrid of a washed and pulped-natural process. Honey processing is unique from mill to mill, producing variations of specialty coffees.

Costa Rica La Falda Honey

The Don Sabino Micromill is a father-son project that pays close attention to detail when producing Costa Rica La Falda Honey. After the coffee cherries are depulped, they’re spread on raised beds and covered with tarps for two days. The beans are then exposed to the air and sun, while being rotated to speed up the fermentation process. The result is a uniquely special coffee with a gentle, sweet floral taste. This cup is truly one of a kind.

In the highlands of Matagalpa and Jintotega, coffee production is booming – most of the coffee is processed using the traditional washed method and is then dried on farmers’ patios.

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Header Photo Credit: Samuel Sweet

Lying south of the Equator in east-central Africa, Rwanda is often referred to as the “land of a thousand hills.” Despite the country’s small size, it is made up of several diverse ecosystems, from the lush rainforests in the south, to the Virunga volcanic massif in the northwest, and the savanna in the east.

The Rwandan people love to move. While women are dancing the umushagirio, or the cow dance, the men perform the dance of heroes to the vibrations of circling drums–music and dance are defining features of Rwandan culture. The Intore dance is popular at many celebrations, from wedding ceremonies to national celebrations and festivals. The Intore dancers move with pride, wearing vibrant costumes that consist of long and short skirts, ankle-bands and colorful head-bands, headdresses with grass wigs, and small hand-painted shields and sticks.

Rwandan coffee, like the tradition of dancing, has both a colorful history and a stirring taste. The first coffee plants reached the country after German missionaries settled in the early 20th century. It was not until three decades later that coffee production began to take flight. Before Rwanda gained independence in the middle of the century, the coffee beans grown were low grade. On top of dealing with the effects of decolonization, coffee farmers withstood the coffee crisis and the Rwandan Genocide of 1994.

With the help of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Rwanda adopted a National Coffee Strategy that developed infrastructure and training programs to support coffee producers. In the last two decades, Rwanda has established a community of 400,000 smallholder producers. Most small farms are sitting 4,000 and 6,500 feet above sea level–a high altitude that is ideal for producing high quality beans.

Resting high in the hills of the Nyabihu District is the Shyira coffee washing station. After the cherries are brought to the station, workers perform the “ikinimba” to bring out the sweetness in coffee by singing five songs while dancing and stomping on the cherries.

Murago Shyira brings you a tropical, smooth-bodied cup that is enhanced with floral, citrus, and red apple flavor notes.

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Header Photo Credit: Portraitor

Peru’s rich culture, which was inherited by native Incas and influenced by immigrant groups from Africa, Japan, China, and Europe, is expressed in music, literature, art forms, dance, celebrations, religion, and more. The Quechua and the Aymara are the two main native cultures of Peru, both of which have preserved their rich cultures despite the pressures of globalization. Jaw-dropping ancient ruins of the Inca Empire, one of the largest in the old world, lie on the tall green mountains of Machu Picchu, which to no surprise is among one of the seven wonders of the world.

The people of Peru are family-oriented as many generations of a family live together with the young looking after the elderly, always ready to help each other through difficult times. Walking down the streets of Peru, and being greeted with open arms and radiating smiles, is enough to get a taste of its warm and welcoming atmosphere. Another long-standing aspect to Peru’s inviting environment is its coffee!

History

Peru has been growing coffee since the mid-1700s, but it wasn’t until the 1900s when European investment expanded the country’s coffee production and exportation. Peru has become one of the top producers of organic, Rainforest Alliance certified coffee.

Although the coffee farmers’ landholdings and micro-wet-milling operations are small, Peru has created a global reputation for its traditionally cultivated, Arabica beans. During the spring and summer months, farmers pick lush coffee cherries and carry them to hand pulpers and wooden fermentation tanks where the micro-wet-milling takes place. After the coffee is processed, many of the farmers trek their beans by foot or on the backs of mules over mountainous trails to get to the nearest town where coffee is bought and sold.

In the “Land of Brave Bracamoros,” otherwise known as Jaén, Cajamarca, 400 smallholder farmers get together to create something magical for coffee lovers. For several years, this small group of producers has been awarded with developing microlot-quality coffees.

A cup of FTO Norte Lima is soft and simple with a tangy acidity, releasing notes of lemon, grapefruit and toffee flavors.

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Header Photo Credit: Evan Sanchez

Nicaragua, a name that originates from, “here united with the water,” is a land known for its poetry and lively, blissful culture. The rhythmic marimbas and folkloric dances are unforgettable in the fiestas across the country. They remind you of the love the people of Nicaragua have for freedom, independence, and artistry.

From volcano-boarding down Central America’s young volcano, Cerro Negro, to roaming the brightly-colored colonial streets of Granada, Nicaragua evokes a sense of wonder for what this small country has to offer and the people who make it so great.

History

In addition to the country’s moving artistry and landscape, coffee holds a special place in the hearts of Nicaraguans. When coffee established itself as a valuable export during the mid-19th century, the Nicaraguan state encouraged European immigrants to buy land for coffee production. The European landowners who were in control of the coffee farms often exploited the labor of Nicaraguans who were working in poor conditions and paid low wages.

Nicaragua faced even more challenges after the Nicaraguan Revolution from 1974–1990 and Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which kept the country from developing a speciality-coffee origins scene. On top of that, the coffee crisis of 1999–2003 devastated the coffee industry in the country.

Today, Nicaragua is pushing for greater coffee production, which has been a driver for rural development. Coffee farmers are pioneering new ways to elevate coffee quality, while organizations like the Cup of Excellence and Nicaraguan Specialty Coffee Association have promoted the country’s specialty coffees.

In the highlands of Matagalpa and Jintotega, coffee production is booming–most of the coffee is processed using the traditional washed method and is then dried on farmers’ patios.

Nicaragua FTO Segovia

Located in northern Nicaragua, PRODECOOP is a grassroots cooperative organization made up of 2,300 small producers, 27 percent of whom are women. PRODECOOP uses its Fair Trade premium to support its members by creating a variety of programs, some of which support educational opportunities for children, provide loans to women in the organization, offer healthcare services, and create support systems with food security for the communities.

A cup of Nicaragua FTO Segovia is rich with tart acidity and a heavy mouthful that is accompanied by tasting notes of chocolate, cocoa, red grape, and a herbaceous aftertaste.

Our Nicaraguan coffee is available exclusively through our Wandercup Subscription. Sign up here!

Header Photo Credit: JancickaL

From untouched beaches with crystal clear waters, to densely forested volcanic mountains where the sounds of bubbling lava synchronize with the tigers’ roars, Indonesia invokes a combined sense of awe, fear, and wonder for its moving nature.

Indonesia’s climate and archipelago geography makes this divine place ideal for producing coffee. Known for its dark and earthy flavor profile, a taste of Indonesian coffee reminds you of the land’s gravitating environment.

History

The Dutch introduced coffee to the islands of Indonesia when they arrived in the 16th century. Dutch-owned plantations exploited the labor of Indonesian people, leaving them in poverty, starvation, and destitution.

The plantations broke up in the 1860s and 1870s in the wake of the coffee leaf rust epidemic that devastated Indonesia’s coffee market. With many of the Dutch estates gone, Indonesian coffee farmers gained control of small plots of their land, leading to the predominance of smallholder growers. Today, Indonesia is the fourth largest coffee-producing country in the world.

Indonesian Coffee Culture

Since its founding in the 17th century, coffee has been a staple in Indonesian life. Drinking at least a cup of coffee a day has become an established tradition that the people of Indonesia cannot skip. The country’s strong coffee culture is most tangible on the morning streets.

On almost every street corner, you’ll find “warung kopi,” translating to coffee stands, bustling with customers who offer a selection of coffee candies, instant coffee, plain brewed coffee, and many more to choose from.

Sumatra Mandheling

Sumatra, one of the largest islands in Indonesia, is known for its earthy, savory, and herbaceous coffees. The island’s climate, combination of grown varieties, and a unique processing method called Giling Basah are just a few contributing factors for producing such distinct coffee. Giling Basah is a wet-hulling method that emphasizes the body and mutes the acidity of Mount Leuser-grown coffee.

Coffee farmers in Sumatra typically harvest their coffee cherries, depulp them by hand, and allow them to dry for short periods of time. The farmers then bring the cherries to the coffee marketplace or collection point where the beans are bought at anywhere from 30 to 50 percent moisture. After the coffee is hulled, it is then dried to 11 to 13 percent moisture, making it ready for export.

The resulting tasting notes of Sumatra’s coffee, one of the rarest in the world, range from black spice, wood, and chocolate – a richness that lingers on the back of the palate.

Explore our Indonesian coffee here!

Header Photo Credit: Rashel Ochoa

Sitting on the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is widely recognized as the place where the coffee bean came to be. Ever wonder how Ethiopia received its name as coffee’s birthplace?

Legend has it that a goat herder named Kaldi witnessed his goats acting strangely as they danced on their hind legs – filled with excitement. The source of their uncontained joy was none other than coffee cherries. Overtaken by his discovery, Kaldi shared the cherries with the monks of a local monastery, who met him with disdain. One monk even denounced the cherries as the “devil’s work” before tossing them into the fire, unintentionally roasting the beans. It just took the delicious coffee aroma to fill the air for the monks to reconsider their initial thoughts about the coffee cherries … the rest is all history.

Coffee has been grown and loved in Ethiopia for centuries, so much so that it has become a key part in Ethiopian culture and language. Natives use coffee as a means of expression relating to food, relationships, and life itself. One common Ethiopian saying is “Buna dabo naw,” translating to “Coffee is our bread.” The metaphor reflects the importance that Ethiopians place on their coffee as it is compared to a source of nourishment.

Another common phrase, “Buna Tetu,” translating to “Drink coffee,” parallels the English language surrounding coffee. This saying does not only refer to the act of drinking coffee, but also to the communal value that lies in a cup of coffee. Coffee plays a social role in Ethiopian culture, which is mirrored in places all over the world.

Located in central southern Ethiopia, Yirgacheffe has been prized for its washed coffees’ smooth, tea-like aromatics and clean citrus flavor. The Misty Valley gives rise to the fruitiness and rich complexity of Natural Yirgacheffe coffee. The creamy body compliments its underlying fruity flavors as the cup finishes with a gratifying mouthfeel.

Explore our Ethiopian coffee here!

Header Photo Credit: John Iglar

Coined the “Land of the Eternal Spring,” Guatemala is treasured for its wonderful weather all year long. The climate is tropical – hot and humid in the lowlands and cooler in the highlands. Two east-west mountain trails divide the land into three regions: the mountainous highlands, the Pacific coast south of the mountains, and the northern Peten lowlands. Because Guatemala is located along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquakes lining the Pacific Ocean, the country is no stranger to the Earth’s raw conditions.

Guatemalan culture is enriched by the Mayan Empire that influenced agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, calendar making, and more. You can witness the breathtaking ruins in the jungles of the northern and central highlands where the Mayans’ geometric architecture is a window to their artistic visions.

The ethnic diversity of Mayan, European, and Caribbean influences within the Guatemalan people manifests in their many languages and lifestyles throughout the country. Still, there is a wealth divide between the urbanized mestizos population, Guatemalans of Spanish and indigenous descent, and the Mayan villagers in the rural highlands. Unlike most of the New World, however, the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors did not completely suppress the culture and way of life of the indigenous people. Both the Mayan and Spanish cultures are celebrated, echoing the beauties that exist when the old world intertwines with the new.

On top of the country’s rich history and brightly colored streets, it is also celebrated for its sweet coffee. In the late 18th century, coffee came to Guatemala with the arrival of European immigrants who were motivated to establish plantations by the Guatemalan government. The country was exporting close to 300 million pounds of coffee yearly by the late 1800s.

Guatemala’s coffee-producing regions all have distinct geographical profiles that are shaped by varieties and microclimate. On the outskirts of the town of San Cristobal Verapaz lies the farm, Flor del Rosario – 550 acres of coffee trees and blooming flowers. The beauty of this coffee is no different than that of the farm. A citric explosion balanced with notes of deep chocolate and caramel reflect the character of the region where this coffee is grown.

The warm enthusiasm that goes into every bean reflects the tales of a land that make this cup worthwhile.

Explore our Guatemalan coffee here!

Header Photo Credit: Cafe Imports

From colorful fiestas and rich biodiversity to the lost city of El Dorado, Colombia is celebrated for its many wonders. It’s admired culture blends together traditions of its European, African, and indigenous roots. Among the things Colombia is known for, its robust, fruit-forward coffee plays a large role in shaping the country’s identity.

The land’s mountainous terrain and tropical microclimates create ideal conditions for growing coffee. A small change in altitude takes you from warm, Caribbean beaches to coffee-strewn, emerald green hills. With 75% of the country’s coffee production exported worldwide, Colombian coffee has established a global name for itself.

The brains behind this operation lie in Colombia’s small coffee farms. The National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia was established in 1927 to protect the interests of rural, small-estate farmers. In response to the coffee-price crisis, the Farm Select program launched to not only provide growers with more support, knowledge and financial resources to improve their coffee quality, but also to allow roasters to create relationships with coffee farmers.

Hidden high in the mountains of Colombia’s Amazon rainforest lies the coffee farm of Donna Patricia Guzman and her husband, Arley Rodriguez Gutierrez. “For us, coffee is everything. It’s what allows us to eat. It means everything to us,” Guzman said, who was surrounded by her 12,000 coffee trees.

Supporting the farmers who have poured their hearts into the growing process, unifying coffee lovers everywhere is one of our core missions. There are greater stories behind Colombian coffee that are worth telling. It’s the muddy pair of boots that hike over dozens of acres of land, the blistered fingers of coffee pickers who hand-pick the best coffee cherries, and the crops transported on the backs of mules, that are behind creating something so special for others.

Grown in a region known as the “Coffee Capital of Colombia”, Jesus Alexander’s 7-hectare farm is known for its premium coffee that leaves both newbies and connoisseurs craving more. In this cup you will experience flavors of tart fruits and lemongrass at first, and finish with a taste of chocolate and toffee.

Explore our Colombian coffee here!

Header Photo Credit: Leandro Loureiro

As the fifth largest country in the world, it can take a while to explore the marvels that Brazil has to offer. This country is a melting pot of nationalities where the culture’s influence by European and African roots is seen in its language, traditional ceremonies and clothing. Because of its size and diversity, Brazil is a nation that rightfully earns the name, “Land of Contrasts.”

Brazil hosts some of the most beautiful destinations for adventure junkies whether it’s hiking through one of its 72 national parks, or gazing at the irresistible sunsets on what looks like a never-ending coastline. Let’s not forget about the jaw-dropping view of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer–a site that’s admired by millions. Aside from its scenic beauty, it’s no secret that Brazil produces some of the best coffees in the world with its number of varieties, mutant-hybrids and cultivars.

History

Legend has it that the coffee plant was first introduced to Brazil in the 1700s through biological espionage. While on a diplomatic mission to find prized coffee seeds in French Guiana, Português Lieutenant Francisco de Melo Palheta seduced the governor’s wife to get his hands on her invaluable seeds. Smuggling them out of the country in a bouquet of flowers, de Melo Palheta planted the seeds in Para, northeastern Brazil, where they rapidly flourished, spreading down south all the way to Rio de Janeiro.

Unlike many other South American small coffee farms, Brazil’s coffee industry thrived off expansive estates, so it should come as no surprise that Brazil has been the top coffee producing country since the 1830s. These massive plantations especially catapulted wealth because of slave labor and ideal growing conditions. Referred to as the “coffee barons,” plantation owners had a strong hand in shaping Brazil’s policies that directly affected the coffee industry.

The coffee barons corrupt influence was finally challenged after the abolition of slavery in 1888, the decline in global demand for coffee after the Great Depression of 1930, and Brazil’s entrance into the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) in 1962. The ICA established quotas and taxing for the world’s leading plantation owners. Once the quotas were dropped in 1989, Brazil paved the way for producing specialty coffee–single origin varieties that continue to be admired today.

Brazil Daterra Villa Borghesi

There is more to Daterra’s philosophy than just great coffee. Preserving the Eco-Social System around its plantations, Daterra is one of the world-famous farms where coffee is produced with an inspiring commitment to both quality and sustainability. Certified since 2003, all Daterra coffee farms have been a part of the Rainforest Alliance, ensuring that they preserve soil and natural resources and practice fair labor conditions.

The Brazil Daterra Villa Borghesi makes for a luring cup with floral, fruit, and hazelnut on the break–making the palate curious as to what the cup holds. Rich in fruit flavors, the cup has a mild acidity with a medium-full body leading to a sweet-clean finish.

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Header Photo Credit: Raphael Nogueira