Origin Story: Women coffee producers of Mexico Chiapas
The Mexico Chiapas coffee is a single-origin, organic bean from a cooperative farm called GRAPOS (Grupo de Asesores de Producción Orgánica y Sustentable S.C.) in the Chiapas state of Mexico. Starting in 2007 with 90 member farmers, GRAPOS has now grown to 3,253 farmers as of 2016 and spans the microregions of Soconusco, Siltepec, Porvenir, and Tapachula. During this time the number of women farmers has increased as well with many who now own or have inherited coffee farms.
Gender discrimination in the agricultural sector of the world means that women farmers don’t get the same access to resources and land ownership. That’s why women primarily make up the labor force behind coffee farming and less often take on leadership roles. According to a report from the International Coffee Organization, depending on the region up to 30% of coffee farms are female-operated while 70% of the labor is provided by women.
This current batch of beans from Mexico is a selection from the women farmers of GRAPOS who are given premium pay. They are responsible for an average of 3-7 hectares of land, and since the coffee harvest season runs from November to March, they are encouraged to diversify their crops. By growing other products such as bananas, squash, beans, cacao, corn, as well as the production of textiles, the women have increased their earning power. By purchasing these Mexico Chiapas beans, we are enabling them to increase coffee production and invest in their communities.
Brewing Mexico Chiapas with a French press helps emphasize the milk chocolate flavor of the roast, supplemented with notes of peanut. (Check out our handy guide to the French press method.) We have it pre-brewed and “on tap” Monday and Thursday mornings but can be brewed to order any time!
A coffee tour in Chiapas from Lunaguava on Vimeo.
