We Taste:  Chocolate Walnut, Graham Cracker, Dried Candied Orange

Origin: Mexico

Roast Level: Balanced Medium

Process: EA Natural Decaffeination

Importer(s): Royal

High in Chiapas’ mist-covered Sierra Madre, a network of small, family-run plots—many no bigger than a few hillside acres—comes together under the Esmeralda cooperative. These growers tend old-growth bourbon, caturra, and typica trees beneath a canopy of native shade, intercropping with maize and citrus while relying on age-old hand-picking traditions. Their collective model lets them share resources for wet-mill infrastructure, invest in soil conservation, and secure fairer prices that ripple directly back into their mountain communities.

After harvest, the parchment travels north to a Mexican decaf plant where caffeine is gently removed with sugar-cane-derived ethyl acetate—an organic compound that leaves the beans’ natural character intact and avoids harsh chemicals. The result is a decaf that tells the growers’ story first: sustainably cultivated, community-powered, and easy to enjoy any time of day.