A few years ago, Garret and I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Guatemala with Onyx Coffee, one of our trusted importing partners. Calling it an eye-opening experience would be an understatement. We gained invaluable knowledge not only from Ty, our “guy” at Onyx, but also from fellow roasters and the farmers themselves. This journey transformed Collective Coffee Roasters for the better, solidifying our commitment to thoughtful coffee sourcing.
Our adventure began in Guatemala City at Onyx Headquarters before taking a tiny plane to Huehuetenango’s coffee-growing region. We visited Finca Punta Del Cerro, a breathtaking farm owned by the Villatoro family.
The journey to the farm was an adventure in itself—two hours in the back of a well-worn Tacoma, climbing steep mountain roads. Upon arrival, we were met with stunning views of coffee plants covering the mountainside. That evening, we watched the sun set over the lush, green landscape, realizing just how special this place truly was.
The next morning, we had the privilege of picking Geisha varietal coffee from an experimental plot. The steep hike reminded me that I should have done more cardio beforehand, but the effort was well worth it. Standing among the coffee plants, shaded by banana trees and surrounded by Guatemala’s native vegetation, I could see the pride in Aurelio Villatoro’s face as he shared his craft with us.
As we struggled to pick 120 pounds of cherries in two hours, we were humbled to learn that his seasoned pickers could do the same work in just 30 minutes. That moment reinforced our deep appreciation for the skilled farmers who make exceptional coffee possible, allowing us to focus on roasting with care and excellence.
