Coffee Origin Trips to Guatemala
Coffee origin trips play a crucial role in forging relationships with coffee producers and roaster buyers alike. As an importer seeking to promote a relationship-based trade that prioritizes ethically sourced beans, and maintaining the quality of the specialty coffee we commercialize, we arrange coffee origin trips to our nine partner cooperatives in four of the coffee producing regions in Guatemala.
We have forged long-lasting relationships with different stakeholders in the supply chain. Thus, our coffee origin trips expose you to our wide network of exporters, local coffee shops, cooperatives, and the farmers themselves. We have sought to build international relationships that range from attending the Specialty Coffee Expo in the U.S. each year and donating data to the Specialty Coffee Transaction Guide.
Trip Description
Our coffee origin trips can adapt to different dates and lengths according to your availability and budget. Keep in mind that the harvest season in the regions we work is from December through April.
Our activities range but are not limited to:
Understand coffee producing through the perspective of small scale producers: During the visits, you can forge a cultural approximation with the coffee you buy. It is also an opportunity to see firsthand the impact of each purchase by meeting with the coffee producers and hearing about their challenges and victories.
On the other hand, it is an opportunity for coffee producers to hear what you look for when searching for coffee and learn from your expertise.
Create connections with different actors of the coffee chain: We also arrange visits to exporters’ facilities, local coffee shops, and cooperatives.
Cupping sessions: We facilitate cuppings on the ground with the producers which enrich the experience by exchanging perspectives from different coffee professionals.
Pricing and Participation
Throughout the trip, a bilingual member of the De La Gente staff will be with you in case you need help with translation. We handle the logistics, scheduling, accommodation and all the details in between so that you can focus on engaging with coffee people and experiencing the richness of Guatemalan culture in your free time.
Price can vary depending on your needs. Contact us at ronald@dlgcoffee.org to start a conversation.
Testimonials
“For me, it’s important to meet the producers in order to make the industry one that values people. That’s why I decided to travel to Guatemala to personally meet various producers, interact with them, and understand their work and professionalism… In Canada, we drink coffee but we know very little about the work that goes into a cup of coffee. I want to be that link [between producers and consumers].”
- Daniel Bernard
Les Cafés du Paysan, Canada
“I’ve already been working with these coffees [sold by De La Gente] and I wanted to see where they come from, what are the differences between Manuel [microlot producer] and his situation, and what’s going on at La Suiza [cooperative], what is the reality of coffee production in Guatemala, how does it look in this country [?]. I came hoping for that and that’s exactly what I got.”
- Kyle Rohling
CoffeeBar, United States
"The stories from the coffee producers I’ve met during this trip have been very inspirational. I’m blown away by their drive and what they’ve achieved so far in spite of the circumstances. I hope things work better and better for them."
- William Schaefer
Nossa Familia Coffee, United States
or e-mail Ronald directly at ronald@dlgcoffee.org
