Over the years, Paul has made several sourcing trips to Mexico. His visits to Oaxaca, Veracruz and his numerous tastings of Chiapas coffees have allowed him to discover the coffees of this incredible country.

Each time, the coffees from Oaxaca stood out. They have a certain aromatic density, sometimes fruity, sometimes herbaceous, but always aromatic and exciting.

Before and during this year's harvest, we contacted some people we know who source coffee from Oaxaca to start looking for some lots for this year.

We found some rare gems, and this coffee shop is one of them!

Seven different producers pooled their coffee to produce this batch.
They took a slight risk by adding an extra fermentation step before washing and drying the grains.
The risk paid off; the added fruity intensity of the aroma gives the coffee a freshness and purity reminiscent of plum. Supported by excellent balance and a pleasant mouthfeel, it's an ideal coffee to enjoy throughout the day, prepared in a filter coffee ma

Producers: Estela Martinez Marin,
Faustino Martinez Cerqueda,
Javier Garcia Martinez,
Margarita Cerqueda Hernandez,
Norberto Cerqueda Hernandez,
Paulino Reyes Martinez,
Salvador Martinez Marin

Location: San Lucas Zoquiapam, Sierra de Flores Magón , Oaxaca

Species: Arabica

Cultivars and varieties: Typica, Bourbon,
Mundo Novo

Process: Dried in clean parchment

Drying: Drying beds

Altitude: 1,600 - 1,900 meters

Harvesting type: Manual

Exporter: Ensambles

Importer: Algrano

Moisture content of green coffee at the time of purchase: 9 %

Farm gate price: €5.87/kg

San Juan de la Unión is a small community nestled in the Sierra de Flores Magón, Oaxaca. This is where the lot that
bears its name originates—the result of the collective work of several Mazatec coffee-growing families who, for the first time, ventured into experimenting with anaerobic fermentations in washed coffees.

This step marks a significant milestone in their production history: a commitment to innovation and continuous
improvement, guided by field technicians. Thanks to this process, the producers have not only refined their methods but
also opened new opportunities for their coffees to be appreciated in broader markets.

Mazatec producers cultivate their coffee in mountain or rusticano systems—models characterized by low environmental
impact and high ecological conservation, where the coffee plants coexist harmoniously with the surrounding forest
ecosystem.

On these farms, one finds both timber and fruit trees, such as plantain, citrus fruits, apple, peach, pomegranate, and cuajinicuil. These diverse crops not only enrich the landscape and local diet but also serve as natural shade that protects the coffee plants from solar radiation and heavy rainfall.

San Juan de la Unión is one of the most marginalized localities in what is also known as the Mazatec Sierra. Coffee plots are often located in the lower areas of the communities, making access to them particularly difficult, as the paths are narrow and hard to traverse.
- Residents face issues of insecurity, including thefts and violent crimes.
- The area's cold climate frequently causes coffee to retain moisture, making the drying process slower and more challenging.

To support producers in this region, Ensambles established in 2021 a collection warehouse and a mobile laboratory in
Huautla de Jiménez, Oaxaca, reducing the distance to these remote areas.

In addition, a team of field technicians
accompanies producers year-round, providing training in sustainable agricultural practices, wet processing, and post-harvest management.
During harvest season, the Quality Control team evaluates coffee samples and sets fair prices based on bean quality.
Personalized feedback is also provided so that each family can continue improving their coee production in future harvests.

Filter coffee
Ratio 1:16
15g of ground coffee
240g of water (between 92-99°C depending on the brewing device)

The brewing device is not very important; we use Orea porcelain for its fast flow rate and design.

The most important thing is to grind the coffee fresh and use soft water.