What’s an Origin Trip — And Why it Matters (Even if You’re Not in the Coffee Industry)

By Pete Brugger

When you sip a cup of coffee, it’s easy to focus on the flavor in front of you — the smoothness, the notes of fruit or chocolate and the comfort of a daily ritual. But behind every cup lies a long journey: seeds planted, hands tending, families working together, harvests brought in, and beans roasted before they ever reach your mug.

An origin trip is a chance to step into that journey. It means traveling to the very places where coffee begins, meeting the farmers who grow it, and experiencing firsthand the landscapes, traditions, and communities that shape every bean.

For coffee professionals, it’s a chance to see beyond the supply chain and connect personally with producers. For coffee lovers of all backgrounds, it’s an opportunity to discover how much care and culture goes into the drink you love — and to experience Guatemala’s beauty and hospitality along the way.

(Inside of coffee cherry - photo by Sara B. Gilliam)

Coffee and Commercial Justice

In the coffee world, the word “trade” usually means buying and selling beans. But for producers, it’s about something much bigger: stability, dignity, and fairness. Too often, the price of coffee is set far away from the fields, with little connection to the real cost of producing it. This leaves farmers vulnerable to a market they can’t control.

That’s where relationship-based trade comes in. Origin trips let you see firsthand how direct relationships — between farmers, roasters, and even everyday coffee drinkers — can shift the balance. When buyers know the people behind the beans, they can negotiate in ways that respect the work, skill, and livelihoods of producers. And when coffee lovers meet those producers, they understand why fairer prices and long-term partnerships matter.

It’s not just about paying more; it’s about paying right — recognizing the value in every hand that touches your cup.

Coffee producer from La Suiza Cooperative sorting coffee cherries

More Than Coffee: Culture and Connection

But origin trips aren’t only about the economics of coffee. They’re also a doorway into the vibrant culture of Guatemala. Coffee doesn’t exist in isolation; it’s woven into family life, community traditions, and the country’s history.

Visiting producers means sitting at a kitchen table and sharing a home-cooked meal. It might mean learning a few words of Kaqchikel’, one of Guatemala’s many Indigenous languages. It might mean hearing stories of how communities organized to form cooperatives, or how younger generations are bringing new ideas to age-old practices.

These are the moments that remind us coffee is always more than beans and roasting curves. It’s laughter around a meal, a child doing homework in the same room where coffee is being sorted, or a farmer’s smile as they share a cup with you — the same smile behind the cup you order back home.

By opening yourself to Guatemala’s culture and people, you gain a deeper understanding of how coffee connects worlds — not just through trade, but through human relationships.

Why it Matters (For Everyone)

At De La Gente, origin trips aren’t just about coffee. They’re about people. They’re about building real connections, sharing stories, and learning how your morning cup is tied to lives, livelihoods, and landscapes far beyond the café counter.

Whether you’re a barista looking to understand your craft more deeply, a coffee enthusiast curious about where your beans come from, or simply a traveler who values authentic, community-based experiences — an origin trip is a way to make your love of coffee tangible.

Because once you’ve walked the fields, shared a meal, and laughed with the people behind your cup, coffee doesn’t just taste different — it means something different. It becomes a daily reminder of connection, resilience, and the possibility of justice in trade.

Stay Connected

We’ll soon be announcing details for our next Origin Trip to Guatemala — and we can’t wait to share the experience with you. Sign up to our email list here or follow us on social media here, so you’ll be the first to know when sign-ups open.

Because coffee tastes richer, deeper, and more meaningful when you know the people and places behind it.

Origin Trip participants in coffee fields (left) and during cupping session (right)