Cooperative Cirsa is located in the northern most region of the State of Chiapas. Cirsa, Comunidades Indigenas de la Region de Simojovel de Allende, is comprised of indigenous farmers from the Tzotzil descent. There are 510 members, all indigenous, that produce 13 containers per year. Established in 1992, Cirsa is now organic and fair trade certified. They pursued the certifications to learn more about eco-friendly farming techniques and to gain better prices for their product.

Cooperative Cirsa has also established a women's group, Union de Mujeres Indigenas de la Region de Simojovel de Allende, or UMIRASI. In this group the women have the same rights as men and have a role in the Cooperative community.

The Cooperative is now 100% organic, using shade trees and crop differentiation to maintain the soil for organic farming.

Altitude: 2400-5400 feet
Variety: Arabe, Bourbon
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: December to April

Cup Characteristics: pleasant sweet nutty aroma, chocolate notes, mild acidity and medium body

Coffee from the Indigenous Ecological Federation of Chiapas, or FIECH, is served in fine restaurants throughout Mexico. In 1996 the government awarded the Cooperative the National Ecological Prize for environmental stewardship.

Tzotzil, Tzeltal, Mame, Chuj and Zoque farmers formed the organization in 1996. They wanted to improve quality and yield, and get affordable credit. They were worried about chemical inputs, soil erosion, fish and bird deaths and the emigration of their young people seeking jobs. The Cooperative now includes 13 organizations from the Frailesca, Costa, Sierra Madre, Fronteriza and Norte regions.
FIECH farmers have built a modern warehouse with high-tech equipment for quality control. The Coop provides technical assistance, repairs and calibrates machinery, built school dormitories, developed women's programs and created a community lending bank. Members are diversifying with a roasting facility, wholesale and retail sales, ecotourism and other commercial crops. Farmers have tripled their average income by converting to organic production. They have used their resources to improve their homes, further their children's education and provide better food and health care for their families.

Altitude: 4500 feet
Variety: Arabe, Bourbon, Mondonovo
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: December to April

Cup Characteristics: nutty, smooth body, berry tones, rich clean cup

Cooperative Ismam San Isidro Labrador is located in the Sierra Madre region in Southern Mexico. The region is characterized by poor infrastructure, unemployment and low life expectancy rates. In response to these adversities, community church leaders founded Cooperative Ismam in 1986. Ismam is an effort to secure a just price for local coffee and to help sustain natural resources.

Modern day organic cultivation employs the same methods passed down from the ancestors of the indigenous. Ismam's members are almost 99% indigenous from Mam, Mache, Tzotzil, Tojolabal, Jacalteco and Tzeltal. Ismam's farms, milling and transport operations have received six independent organic certification, SKAL/ECO in the Netherlands, Naturland in Germany, VSBLO in Switzerland, OCIA in the US and Canada, Biodynamic Institute for Rural Studies of Brazil and AMAE in Mexico. All of Ismam's coffee is grown at high altitudes and farm sizes vary between 1-10 acres. Ismam is also Bird Friendly® certified by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.
At the age of 20, Eimar Velazquez Mazariegus started working in the department of coffee processing and roasting for Ismam. Eimar grew up surrounded by Ismam activists, as both his mother and his adopted father have been members of the association for over 10 years. After five years of attending university classes on Saturdays, Eimar completed 9 semesters to finish his undergraduate degree in technology. Upon receipt of his degree he was promoted to Export Manager, his present position since August of 2006. This position has helped him to define his job responsibilities, which has made the Association much more effective.

He is determined to work to find the best market and price for the coffee of the members of Ismam, as well as continue to work for the benefit of the community. Through his work at Ismam, Eimar has been able to support his family and education. He even received a scholarship from Ismam. He has also had the opportunity to attend Expo Cafe, Expo Antad and Expo Organico. Don Laura, Eimar's mother, is very proud of him and they both realize that together they have accomplished a better life.

Altitude:1800-5400 feet
Variety: Typica, Bourbon
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: December to March

Cup Characteristics: mild, soft acidity, well balanced nutty, earthy flavor

Cooperative La Selva, La Union de Sociedades de La Selva, is located in the Lacandon jungle of Chiapas. La Selva was created in 1978. The Cooperative was established to build a community committed to improving the quality of life for all of its members and protecting the environment. The community can now provide health, education and social services for members.

The Cooperative has over 200 members that benefit from these services. La Selva's coffee fields are terraced to conserve land and their organic fertilizers ensure sustainable production. Due to fairly traded coffee, the Cooperative has been able to diversify their crops, ensuring food for its members and secure education for their children. Coffee sold from La Selva support over 1350 indigenous families in Chiapas, Mexico.

Altitude: 2700-3750 feet
Variety: Typica
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica & Robusta
Harvest: December to January

Cup Characteristics: nice acidity, sweet floral nutty aroma, chocolate, clean and consistent

Cooperative Nubes de Oro, "Clouds of Gold," is located in Chiapas near the El Tiunfo Reserve. The growers are spread out on a mountain range surrounding the town of Mapastepec, where the Cooperative's office is located. There are a total of 21 ejidos, or small communities, where the 430 Cooperative members live.

Elan Organic Coffees arranged and funded an inspection for Nubes de Oro to become certified Bird Friendly® by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center in 2008.

Altitude: 3000-4200 feet
Variety: Typica, Bourbon
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: December to March

Cup Characteristics: nice medium body, mild acidity, pleasant cup with a vanilla and caramel finish

Cooperative Udepom, Union de Elijidos Porf. Otilio Montano, is located in the Sierra Madre region of Chiapas in Southern Mexico. The Cooperative was founded in 1992. The 850 members are located in Motozintla, Huiztla, Tuzantan, Escuintla, Siltepec and Amatenango Districts of Chiapas. The environmental diversity of mountains and valleys provides soil rich with calcium and limestone, creating a high quality coffee product.

Altitude: 4800-5400 feet
Variety: Typica, Bourbon
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: December to March

Cup Characteristics: fruit tones throughout with chocolate aroma, light yet bright acidity, smooth almost creamy body, long pleasant aftertaste.