Did you know that a coffee bean is formed inside a fruit called a coffee cherry? And the fruit is preceded by a beautiful white bloom that contrasts vividly with the rich green leaves of the coffee tree. Cultivating coffee is taking part in the seasonal rhythms of the plant as it cycles through its growth each year.
There are two main types of coffee that diversify greatly farther down the family tree. Arabica coffee is usually preferred for its sweet and fruity qualities, whereas Robusta coffee is bitter and more highly caffeinated.
We cultivate four varieties of Arabica coffee - Caturra, Catimor, Catui, and Bourbon. Our Farmer's Blend is a mixed cup of all four varieties.
In addition to the bean itself, the flavor of the coffee bean depends on how the bean is processed, and eventually, how the bean is roasted. At San Lázaro Coffee Co we process our beans in one of two ways in order to infuse and preserve the best flavor for your enjoyment. Both are hand processed and time-intensive, but the result is worth it.
We encourage you to try all of our coffees to determine which flavor your palate enjoys most. We promise you can't go wrong with any of our coffees; the only decision you'll have to make is which one you like best.
At 24 years old there were not many opportunities for Karla. She was newly married and had a young daughter. The rugged rural mountains where she had grown up and lived in her entire life hadn’t afforded much. In particular she didn’t have the opportunity to continue learning in high school. But what she did learn was how to work. Both Karla and her husband were committed to helping their young family get ahead. He farmed and she worked anywhere she could, often picking tomatoes or peppers for farmers in the region. The days were long, the pay was bad, and the treatment was worse.