Bon Decaf

Th3rdwave Directories

Th3rdwave Coffee Club

Subscriptions

Current edition

Past editions

Refer & earn free coffee

Th3rdwave Wallet

Th3rdwave for roasters

Get the app

Oaxaca is a state is southwestern Mexico. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south and surrounded by the states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla and Guererro. Oaxaca has one of the most rugged terrains in the country, with mountain ranges that abruptly fall into the sea. In the valleys between these mountains live small communities of indigenous peoples.

This coffee is sourced from 122 indigenous farmers in the village of Santa Cruz Tutiahua, Oaxaca. Farms here are very small at no more than 3 hectares of land, and have a crop yield. They have a strong tradition of selective picking, but no direct access to customers. With the dangerous drive through the mountain pass to access the farms and the fact that most farmers in this region speak some form of Mixteca, community leaders like José and Marcelina Vasquez help bridge the gap with their Spanish-speaking countrymen. This group gets together once every 2-3 months to trade tips, labour, and equipment. They are committed to organic practices and promote composting. This type of cooperation is rarer than you might think, and is a testament to the personalities of José and Marcelina.