Las Codornices

Who hasn’t heard about Huehuetenango, the most famous Guatemala’s coffee region? But who knows there’s a part of Huehuetenango that’s so dry and harsh nobody grows coffee there? Oh wait, somebody actually does. Please meet Diana and Hector Ovalle who were born into the coffee industry. It has been part of their family history since the late 1800s, when their ancestors arrived at the isolated land of Aqua Dulce in Huehuetenango. They established a sugar cane plantation at first, with not much luck. They came to a decision to make a change and plant coffee. That is when their love and passion for coffee began and remained within the family until this day. Diana and Hector’s focus is their community. They try to find ways to support people that depend on coffee production. For example, by purchasing 150 sheep that help to keep their farm free of weeds and also provide meat for their workers. Apart from the sheep they use on all their farms, they also plant trees that produce edible seeds rich in protein and fruits full of vitamins that are also available for their local community.

Diana and Hector are an example of a new approach to coffee production. Their farms and management style are focused on maximum efficiency and sustainability. We’re super happy to work with the Ovalles, being able to help them create a model that not only rewards the highest quality, but also helps them produce specialty coffee in a sustainable fashion.

Las Codornices is one out of three Ovalle farms. A trip to the farm is not like your typical coffee excursion. You won’t pass any coffee trees, infrastructure, Beneficios or pickers from other farms. The area is so dry that nobody else ever thought about establishing coffee production there. From their house you can grasp a beautiful view at a mountain range, some coffee trees and two retention tanks Diana and Hector have built to harvest precious rainwater to use it for irrigation. Each row of coffee trees within a 9-hectares area is ready to be irrigated at any time.

Since water supply is a huge issue in this region, farmers rarely produce washed-process coffee, instead focusing on getting expertise in honeys and naturals. The fruity character and deep articulation of the Ovalle’s coffees amazed us on the cupping table and therefore we’re proud to offer you this coffee.