Coffee Description
This sweet, versatile coffee launches with aromas of apple crisp, malted raisins and vanilla. In the cup, look for classic chocolate caramel pairing with nuts and vanilla, balanced, sweet acidity, and velvety body.
Roast Level from the Roaster
Refers to the roast level in comparison with other coffees from the roaster
Medium
Roast Level according to Crema
Refers to the roast level in comparison with all the coffees on Crema.co.
Medium
Variety
Catimor
Process
Washed
Elevation
800-2200 masl
Region
San Marcos
About Manos Campesinas Cooperative of Guatemala
Despite the efforts of the Catholic Diocese of Quetzaltenango in the 1990s, small-scale coffee growers often fell prey to “coyotes,” middlemen who bought their coffees for next to nothing but prevented them from selling directly to international buyers that would pay them fair prices. So in 1996, a group of 6 farmer associations formed the Asociación de Pequeños Productores de Café Manos Campesinas. That number has grown to include 11 co-ops, representing approximately 1200 coffee farming families.
Fiercely independent, the co-op helps members produce top-quality coffees and obtain the best prices. Manos Campesinas is understandably proud of its self-sustaining, fiscally-responsible business practices, and strives to remain free of external support. Operating on their key values of social responsibility, quality, sustainability, gender equality, and environmental protection, they maintain a small admin staff and low overhead, while pouring profits into technical support for members. Higher Grounds has been partnering with them since 2008.
San Marcos, Guatemala
Our coffee expert
Aubrey Mills
6+ years experience as Coffee Taster, Wholesale Director, barista and Coffee Quality Director.
Aubrey Mills is steeped in coffee. Not literally, of course, but since 2013, she’s been preparing and tasting coffee for a career. Initially as a barista at the Portland, OR Insomnia Coffee and Dapper & Wise, her job was to stay on top of quality and help customers find coffees they were excited about. This involved tasting all the coffees they’d be serving that day, dialing in espresso or approve a drip recipe.
She soon became Director of Wholesale at Dapper & Wise, where she regularly cupped at quality control cuppings with the team, hosted cuppings for the public and trained wholesale partners on proper coffee preparation. In the role of helping to maintain Dapper & Wise’s menu of diverse flavor profiles, roast levels and processing methods, Aubrey also visited coffee producing countries. She says, “Traveling to origin and experiencing the beginning of the coffee journey has given me greater perspective for how many variables can impact flavor in the final cup.”
Along with her on-point palate and killer coffee know-how, Aubrey brings creativity, sparkle and grace to everything she does, actively looking for opportunities to showcase the value of specialty coffee and address sustainability issues in the industry.
had this to say:
Aubrey Mills is steeped in coffee. Not literally, of course, but since 2013, she’s been preparing and tasting coffee for a career. Initially as a barista at the Portland, OR Insomnia Coffee and Dapper & Wise, her job was to stay on top of quality and help customers find coffees they were excited about. This involved tasting all the coffees they’d be serving that day, dialing in espresso or approve a drip recipe. She soon became Director of Wholesale at Dapper & Wise, where she regularly cupped at quality control cuppings with the team, hosted cuppings for the public and trained wholesale partners on proper coffee preparation. In the role of helping to maintain Dapper & Wise’s menu of diverse flavor profiles, roast levels and processing methods, Aubrey also visited coffee producing countries. She says, “Traveling to origin and experiencing the beginning of the coffee journey has given me greater perspective for how many variables can impact flavor in the final cup.” Along with her on-point palate and killer coffee know-how, Aubrey brings creativity, sparkle and grace to everything she does, actively looking for opportunities to showcase the value of specialty coffee and address sustainability issues in the industry.
"A perfect blend of sweet and comforting, this coffee is an excellent choice for any time of day. I taste german chocolate cake, almond cookie and cane sugar. The finish is short and sweet with a silky mouthfeel. "
Higher Grounds Coffee
Higher Grounds Coffee believes that high-quality coffee is sustainable only through a human-centric approach. They source 100% organic coffee directly through ownership of their importing co-op Cooperative Coffees, always paying well over market and fair trade minimum prices. Their coffee is meticulously cupped, profiled, and roasted with precision to bring out the best of every bean. They offer unique and tasty single-origins as well as delicious and crowd-pleasing blends.
Their dedication does not stop when the coffee hits the cup. They circle back to invest in farming communities via their nonprofit partners and through direct support of community development programs and sustainability initiatives. Whether it is school construction in Ethiopia, water projects in Chiapas, Mexico, or women's empowerment in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Higher Grounds has engaged in and supported farmer initiatives all over the world.
There are many coffee roasters to choose from, but no one does it like Higher Grounds. Their award-winning approach to sourcing and quality have earned them recognition from coast to coast.
