Honduras Ocotepeque

This coffee from the region of Ocotepeque in Honduras has a wonderful story associated with it! This bean is sourced from the Gea co-operative, which is largely driven by creating a support network for female farmers. In Greek mythology "Gea" or "Gaia" is the Goddess of the Earth. The cooperative was named in her honour representing the determined spirit of female coffee farmers. Many of the women coffee producers wake before dawn, caring for their loved ones before working a busy day in the fields.

Coffee cooperatives are great resources for farmers as they provide opportunities for education, training, shared mills and collective bargaining power. During harvest season, this support is extended to other women in their communities through picking work. This assistance and contribution towards the individual farms allows for a quality output. Women across Honduras, and especially in rural areas, are determined to seize the opportunities presented to them.

The farmers have shown their ability to take a rough patch of land and turn it into a successful coffee farm, in part by planting timber and fruit alongside their coffee crops, to increase shade and soil moisture and to encourage microclimates that bring complexity and quality to the cup.

The resulting bean is a smooth and rich single origin, with tasting notes of redcurrant, caramel and hazelnut and a full bodied mouth feel.