Mexico/Comon Yaj Noptic

Tastes Like: Cocoa, Peanut Butter, Baked Apple

Region: Chiapas

Process: Washed

Altitude: 1200-1750 MASL

FAIR TRADE ORGANIC

Comon Yaj Noptic cooperative resides in the Mexican state of Chiapas, along the buffer zone of El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, one of the world's most diverse forest reserves. In the highlands of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, the reserve contains Mesoamerica's largest continuous cloud forest, and is a refuge for thousands of plant and animal species.

Comon Yaj Noptic cooperative, which was founded in 1995 by a group of smallholder farmers from indigenous groups in the area. (Comon Yaj Noptic means "all of us think.") Today there are about 160 producer members. The producers here have the advantage of many ideal conditions, including good altitude, obviously a very lush environment, and high-quality coffee varieties like Typica, Bourbon, and Caturra. The grower members are passionate about quality and even though this region is not always thought of for exceptional lots, there is strong microlot potential. The area is very close to the border of Guatemala and that country's famous coffee region Huehuetenango: The organization earned its organic certificate in 2003 and its Fair Trade certification in 2009.