Chiapas coffee: an exceptional harvest

Café William brings you a brand new Select Harvest: a medium roast coffee from the Chiapas region of Mexico. Organic and fair trade, this coffee will offer you sweet aromas of caramel, chocolate and dried fruit. Continue reading to learn more about the history of Mexican coffee!

A difficult start

Coffee culture is off to a slow start in Mexico. With the economy dominated by the sale of mineral deposits since the 18th century, people see little interest in investing in coffee production. It was only around 1920, after the Mexican Revolution, that it began to gain momentum. Slowly but surely, Mexican coffee entered the world markets.

The history of coffee in Mexico is not an easy one, however. In 1973, the Mexican government finally recognizes the potential of coffee in the country and set up the National Coffee Institute, named INMECAFE. The institute supports small coffee producers by offering them technical assistance and credit, for example. While coffee production has been going well for several years, INMECAFE closed its doors in 1989, along with the International Coffee Agreement (AIC). The result is catastrophic: the price of coffee plummets and coffee farmers lack the resources and support to continue producing and selling their coffee.

Emergence of cooperatives

The emergence of cooperatives in the 1990s will really save the day for producers. They are now getting help in the transporting, processing and marketing of their products. These cooperatives allow members to be more aware of economic diversification and environmental initiatives, among others. In fact, more and more farms are certified organic.

Today, Mexico is able to offer a product that meets the expectations of great coffee aficionados!

The Chiapas region, bordered by the Sierra Madre mountains, offers a diverse environment and climate, as well as an altitude between 900 and 1,100 meters. These conditions are ideal for growing coffee trees. Coffee from this region, known as the “golden belt” of coffee, will provide you with a well-balanced and perfect cup to enjoy at any time of the day. You will be able to detect sweet aromas of caramel, chocolate and dried fruit. Its fairly classic taste makes it the ideal partner for your mornings! Café William offers you this variety in a medium-bodied roast, for a nice balance on the palate.

Next stop: Asia! Stay tuned to discover our new Select Harvest which, once again, will take you to the other side of the world.