ESPRESSO | MEXICO PENA COLORADA WASHED
Taste Notes: PINK GRAPEFRUIT. RASPBERRY. DARK CHOCOLATE
Origin: Mexico
Farm: Pena Colorada
Location: Sierra Mazateca, Oaxaca
Altitude: 1600 - 1800 MASL
Producers: Various Small Holders
Variety: Typica, Mundo Novo, Bourbon
Process: Washed
Nestled in the remote Sierra Mazateca mountain range of northern Oaxaca, Peña Colorada Mexican Coffee grows at elevations between 1,600 and 1,800 metres above sea level. This high-altitude terrain—cool, rugged, and rich in biodiversity—produces coffees with striking complexity. The Typica, Mundo Novo, and Bourbon varieties cultivated here result in a cup profile that is vibrant and expressive, with notes of dried fruit, panela, and subtle floral undertones.
Production in this region follows traditional, careful methods. Coffee is hand-pulped and fermented in wooden tanks for up to 48 hours before being dried on petates—hand-woven mats unique to the area. This meticulous washed process, combined with the natural conditions of the Mazateca, contributes to the distinct clarity and balance in the final cup.
Behind the quality, however, lies a deeper story—one shaped by resilience. Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s poorest states, and coffee farming has become increasingly unsustainable in recent years. Devastated by coffee leaf rust and lacking the resources to respond, yields have plummeted by up to 90% in some areas. Most producers farm less than one hectare and harvest only around 100kg of parchment coffee per year—barely enough to sustain a livelihood.
The Sierra Mazateca is a place of extraordinary beauty and cultural depth. Most of its inhabitants speak Mazateco as their first language, and the region holds a strong tradition of shamanism and herbal knowledge. It is isolated, often overlooked, and difficult to access—but its coffees are among the finest Mexico has to offer.
By working in partnership with producers in this remote region, we hope to not only preserve a unique coffee-growing culture but to contribute meaningfully to its future. In every cup of Peña Colorada, you’ll taste more than just quality—you’ll taste a shared commitment to sustainability, tradition, and the livelihoods of those who make it possible.