María Ramirez Vargaz is a second-generation coffee producer in Concepcion Huista, in the Huehuetenango region. María farms coffee on her land called T’Zun- Wit’z, which is located on a hill with the same name. The name is local indigenous language Popti and means “Birth on the Hill” or “Birth of the Hill”.

During the harvest María makes sure that only the ripe cherries are picked and usually María carries out three picking passes. The depulping of the cherries is done with minimum amount of water and the coffee is fermented in tubs for 36 hours. The coffee is then washed with clean water and dried on patio from five to six days. As a last stage María goes through the parchment and picks out the detectable defects by hand.

This is the 4th year that we have been buying from Maria and we always love the complexity and sweetness that is found in the cup. This year’s harvest is no different and we love the berries and dried apricot coupled with wonderful sweetness in the espresso.