We are thrilled to have Rio Azul back on our shelves as part of our Single Origin series! This smooth, light roast is delicately sweet, with notes of candied orange - not only is it delicious on its own, it'll pair perfectly with your favourite brunch goodies or fruity desserts!
Our buying cooperative, Co-op Coffees, wrote the following article on our relationship with this 50 year-old producer cooperative:
Located in the remote western Guatemalan town of Jacaltenango, Coop Rio Azul has 210 members, 43 of whom are women. All members of the cooperative are of the Mayan group Jacaltec, also commonly called Pobp’ al Ti’ or Popti people. Founded in 1967, the cooperative has a long history of producing some of the best coffee exported under the famed “Huehuetenango” mark.
The members of Rio Azul all live no more than a 1.5 hour walk to the processing centre in Jacaltenango. This allows the cooperative complete control over several stages of the quality process. Due to the careful attention given each step of the way – from farmer to final processing – and the excellent growing conditions in this area, Rio Azul coffee comes in consistently dark chocolate aromas, sweet, citric acidity and a long, lingering finish of delicately balanced flavors.
Rio Azul farmers work hard to maintain these high standards. Collectively, they strive to become more financially sustainable and self-sufficient as a cooperative and to provide members with greater technical assistance to improve yields and improve coffee and shade tree management.
Coop Coffee first “discovered” Rio Azul following a roaster / producer exchange in Quetzaltenango in 2005. We imported our first container of Rio Azul coffee in 2006 and have been savouring container-loads of their fine coffee ever since!
