At Dancing Goats Coffee, we’re passionate about bringing you exceptional coffee that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also makes a positive impact on the communities that cultivate it. That’s why we’re thrilled to share the story behind our Honduras San Jacinto coffee, a truly special brew made possible by a micro-financing project we launched to support the incredible Doña Isaura Martinez and her farm in Honduras. This initiative reflects our deep commitment to ethical sourcing and fostering direct relationships with coffee producers around the world, ensuring that every cup of Dancing Goats Coffee you enjoy contributes to a sustainable and thriving coffee ecosystem.
Doña Isaura Martinez, a second-generation coffee farmer in her late 70s, is the heart and soul of San Jacinto farm. Certified organic, she has dedicated her life to producing exceptional coffee. Before Dancing Goats Coffee stepped in with our micro-financing project, the future of her farm was uncertain. Her age and the increasing challenges of farm management presented significant hurdles. However, at Dancing Goats Coffee, we believe in standing by our partners, especially those who share our dedication to quality and sustainable practices. The Honduras San Jacinto coffee beans she cultivates are truly unique, boasting exquisite tasting notes of grape bubblegum, wild berries, jam, and orange caramel. This medium roast offers a well-balanced acidity and a wine-like body, making it the perfect cup to brighten any morning.
To ensure the longevity and enhance the quality of Doña Isaura’s remarkable coffee, Dancing Goats Coffee embarked on a micro-financing project in 2019. We believe in the power of community, and with the support of our customers, we set out to directly invest in San Jacinto farm. The concept was simple yet impactful: a portion of every sale of San Jacinto coffee – $5 from each wholesale bag and $1 from each retail bag – was directly allocated to the project.
Alt text: Doña Isaura Martinez, a dedicated second-generation coffee farmer, proudly standing amidst her thriving coffee plants at the San Jacinto farm in Honduras.
The funds raised through this initiative were specifically used to acquire raised coffee drying beds for San Jacinto farm. These beds are a game-changer in coffee processing. By allowing for better air circulation around the coffee cherries, they ensure a more uniform drying process. This, in turn, leads to a more consistent and enhanced flavor profile in the final cup of Dancing Goats Coffee. The investment in these raised beds is a testament to our belief in providing producers with the tools they need to elevate their coffee and secure a more sustainable future.
When the new harvest from Doña Isaura arrived this year, we at Dancing Goats Coffee were ecstatic. The improvement in quality was undeniable. The flavors were even more vibrant, the consistency impeccable – a clear reflection of the positive impact of the raised drying beds and our collaborative project. This tangible improvement reaffirmed our commitment to this model of direct support and ethical sourcing.
Alt text: Elevated raised coffee drying beds, an effective infrastructure improvement, optimizing air circulation for uniformly drying coffee cherries at the San Jacinto farm in Honduras.
Our relationship with Doña Isaura and San Jacinto farm is facilitated through Pacayal Coffee, an organization run by the dynamic brother-sister duo, Edgar and Karen Carillo. Pacayal Coffee plays a crucial role in connecting Dancing Goats Coffee with exceptional Honduran producers. Edgar and Karen are passionate advocates for their local coffee growing community in La Paz, Honduras. They work tirelessly to support farmers, helping them access the specialty coffee market and achieve certifications like Fair Trade and Organic. Their motto, “la mejor idioma es la calidad” – “the best language is quality,” perfectly aligns with Dancing Goats Coffee’s own pursuit of coffee excellence.
Pacayal Coffee is also investing in infrastructure, building their own washing station, cupping lab, and quality control center. These facilities will further empower the producers they represent, including Doña Isaura, to consistently improve their coffee quality and meet the demands of the global specialty market, ensuring that Dancing Goats Coffee continues to offer only the finest beans.
Doña Isaura’s story is deeply rooted in Honduran coffee history. Her father, Don Antonio, was once the largest coffee producer in Honduras. He built a beneficio in 1982, complete with depulping equipment, fermentation tanks, and drying patios. For years, Don Antonio, and later Doña Isaura, sold coffee on the commodity market, focused on volume to sustain their livelihood. It wasn’t until 2015, through their partnership with Pacayal Coffee, that Doña Isaura transitioned to Fair Trade and Organic certification, finally receiving fairer prices for her exceptional beans. Dancing Goats Coffee is proud to be part of this journey, paying a premium for Doña Isaura’s coffee, recognizing her expertise and dedication.
Alt text: The historic beneficio, built in 1982 by Don Antonio, featuring depulping and fermentation infrastructure, standing as a testament to traditional coffee processing at San Jacinto farm.
At Dancing Goats Coffee, our purchasing philosophy is centered on building lasting, equitable relationships. We strive to support producers at all levels, from well-established operations to those emerging in the specialty market. Honduras, with its rapidly growing coffee industry, presents a unique opportunity to engage with producers like Doña Isaura, who are eager to enhance their quality and access a wider market. Our micro-financing project with San Jacinto is just one example of how Dancing Goats Coffee is actively working to create a more sustainable and ethical coffee future.
We invite you to experience the remarkable flavor of Honduras San Jacinto Dancing Goats Coffee and taste the impact of this collaborative effort. By choosing Dancing Goats Coffee, you are not only indulging in an exceptional brew but also supporting our ongoing commitment to quality, ethical sourcing, and the prosperity of coffee farming communities around the world. Join us on this journey, and together, we can continue to elevate the coffee experience, from bean to cup.
