Blue Ayarza

COUNTRY: Honduras
REGION: Lempira, Ocotepeque, Intibuca, Copan, La Paz, El Paraiso, Comayagua 
ELEVATION: 1100- 1,650 masl
PROCESS: Washed
OTHER: Organic farm, traceable, sustainable


FARM INFO
In Greek mythology, Gea (pronounced hay-uh) is the goddess of the Earth and the mother of all creation. This coffee embodies the determined spirit of women. Despite all the challenges they face, some do it because they were left behind by a partner who migrated in search of a better life, passed away, or simply because of a passion for coffee. Women across Honduras, and especially in rural areas, are determined to seize the opportunities presented to them.

BECAMO receives coffee from more than 300 women producers, some of whom are members of the Lenca and Chortis ethnic groups. They belong to different cooperatives in different regions and are an important part of the coffee trade in Honduras. Most women coffee producers wake before dawn to care for their loved ones before going to the fields. They also give other women an opportunity to work on the picking during the harvest. Afterward, they approach wet milling and drying with extra care. Cooperative members are used to being there for one another, whether they’re going through adversity or trying a new processing method.

They 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. These important procedures not only bring complexity and quality to the cup, but also create more sustainable farming practices and increase biodiversity

This coffee highlights the talents of an under-represented sector of the coffee industry. While each woman has a different story behind their involvement in the industry, the dedication to seizing opportunities in a male-dominated field is inspiring.

Origin photos by Interamerican Coffee.