Tara A. Spears
In the heart of Mexico’s Pacific coast lies the captivating region of Nayarit. A place where pristine beaches meet lush, mountainous landscapes. Amidst this natural beauty, Nayarit’s specialty coffee is quietly making a name for itself. Nayarit’s coffee heritage is a story that dates back generations. The region’s coffee journey began in the late 19th century when it was introduced by European settlers who realized that Nayarit’s microclimates were ideal for coffee cultivation. Since then, the cultivation of coffee has become ingrained in the culture and traditions of Nayarit’s communities that is passed down through families and celebrated as a source of pride.
Coffee is grown here at an altitude of 1200-1500 meters. Most of the mountains are volcanic areas and the soil is volcanic ash. The high altitude and fertile volcanic soil of Nayarit- with 2,300 coffee growers- give birth to the smooth taste and moderate acidity of coffee beans. Mexico is also one of the largest producers of organic certified coffee, most of which is sold to the United States due to the ease of distribution. The country’s coffee industry is mainly planted in Arabica varieties. More than 2 million of Mexicans depend on coffee for a living, and 75% of Mexican coffee farmers grow coffee on less than two hectares of land. In Nayarit, coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s a connection to the land, the people, and the history of the state.
Today, Mexico produces coffee grains of the highest quality, since its topography, altitude, climate, and soil allow it to cultivate and produce wide varieties that are classified among the best in the world. The two generic varieties that are produced in Mexico are the “Arabica” and “Robusta” grains. Of the first type, around 120 varieties are grown in Mexico. In fact, coffee is one of the main agricultural export products, accounting for about half of agricultural exports and about 5 percent of total Mexican exports. The coffee growing industry also exerts a great socioeconomic influence.
The coffee growers have worked together for over a century to promote Mexican produced coffee and the trend in recent years has been joining a cooperative, Grupo Terruño Nayarita, that has organized the small farms of sustainable coffee production based in Nayarit, Mexico. Grupo Terruño Nayarita is a collection of farmers who are producing consistent quality, socially and environmentally responsible, internet traceable coffee from Nayarit, Mexico.
This organization consists of nearly 400 coffee producers that are grouped into eight producing societies. The original member farmers have been cooperating for over 20 years. Grupo Terruno Nayarita has exported 147 containers of specialty coffee since 2006 with internet traceable barcodes and serial numbers on every bag. In addition to growing a superior quality of Mexican coffee, 30% of the Nayarit group members are women! Being a member of this group is a wonderful means for the small family operated coffee growers to get help marketing and distributing their coffee crop to get a better price.
Nayarit coffee is one of the best, with more than 150 years of tradition that introduced the first plantations in the Malinal region and continue through the efforts of those desendents and indigenous farmers. Thus, the peaks of Huicicila in Compostela are one of the most important areas in terms of coffee production in Mexico, with medium and sophisticated flavors and aromas.
This week on May 12, two important events affected the course of growing coffee in Nayarit: The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) officially presented the Denomination of Origin declaration for “Café Nayarit,” recognizing the state as a producer of coffee with a unique identity and quality. But that wasn’t all, Nayarit was also awarded a Guinness World Record for gathering more than a thousand people at a masterclass on coffee. The state governor accepted the awards and all the media joined in celebrating the achievements in headlines. For many coffee workers and producers, this recognition represents something bigger than a title: putting Nayarit on the international coffee map and opening new opportunities for thousands of families that depend on this activity.
Locally, most stores selling food carry the local Nayarit grown brands as well as the area coffee shops. Expresso 89 Coffee Shop, owned by Evelyn Banuelos and hubby Yisus Glez, located in La Penita Centro, Bahía de Guaymas #8, proudly serves Nayarit grown coffee in many delicious blends. Another Penita coffee shop that is also produces the coffee it sells, is just past the Avenida. “At Café Occidente (on highway 200 north of the bus station,) we are a family business that harvests our coffee at the summit of Huicicila in the municipality of Compostella. Our coffee is organic and high-altitude grown,” said Sra. Jimenez.
Coffee… perfect for lifting your spirits and energy in the morning as well as enjoying a pleasant chat, coffee has become an everyday essential delight. Its characteristic taste and penetrating aroma have earned it a good place in all homes and routines around the world. Nayarit grown organic beans reflects in each cup the passion, tradition and coffee excellence of our region. When savoring a cup of Nayarit coffee, every moment becomes a true taste experience.
