As the old adage says, “Good things come in small packages,” and when it comes to some of Mexico’s lesser-known coffee growing areas, this is certainly true. For example, the Colima region/state is home to approximately 856 coffee farmers. Coffee production is small in size, but big in taste--a well-kept secret, because prior to the latest eruption of Volcán de Fuego, all coffee coming from Colima was sold to roasters in Mexico itself. Ordered by the government to evacuate their towns during volcanic activity, families return to tend their coffee trees once the mountain settles down.
Producers in Colima are typically members of small cooperatives. These days, the small co-ops are able to export their coffees under the Intragadora cooperative. This means that specialty coffee roasters and importers are finding some stellar Colima offerings on their cupping tables, and are passing them on to coffee lovers worldwide.