GUATEMALA
return to huehuetenango
in the spring of 2025, our roaster and green buyer, HAYDEN, returned to huehuetenango to SOURCE more delicious coffee and check in with our producer and exporter friends WE made in 2024. HIS reason for making ORIGIN trips is to strengthen the supply chain by sourcing coffee with the goal of improving the lives of everyone involved.
This year, The mission was to continue our ongoing partnership with Cafe imports and k-Finos Green coffee exporters by sourcing MICROlots from the same producers we worked with last year. choosing the same producers year after year PROVIDES the opportunity to maintain stable relationships and helps guarantee the producer peace of mind when planning for each years harvest.
K-FINOS GREEN COFFEE
the wonderful crew at k-finos PREPPED 2 TABLES of the regions most sensational COFFEES. We are thrilled to ANNOUNCE that ONE OF efrain CASTILLO’s CROPs was PROCURED for the second year in a row (NOW AN EXCLUSIVE OFFERING at DISCO DEATH RECORDS). WE look forward to visiting EFRAIN’s farm in 2026 to continue to improve our working relationship. ADDITIONALLY, WE ACQUIRED A MIFIT CUSTOMER FAVORITE, MUJEREs de valenton. we are beyond excited to offer the women producers group of san martin valenton to everyone again this year. WE HOPE TO VISIT them in 2026 FOR THE CHANCE to speak with the women producers, See how their harvests are going, and learn how we can contribute to their success.
the K-finos mission is To market high-quality coffee from the region and internationally, with fair trade and a primary role of supporting small producers by providing them with the necessary support and thus being able to employ appropriate techniques for the necessary maintenance of coffee crops, meeting the standards of a specialty coffee. their lab and warehouse facilities are filled with resources and hard-working individuals who want To be part of an efficient, solid, and successful company by meeting the quality and price standards of coffee beans. Year after year, THEY establish projections and expand THEIR product into international markets to meet THEIR purchasing and sales goals. We are thrilled to partner with them and fully support their mission.
COUNTRYMAN COFFEE
ASOCIACIóN DE LA CAMPESINA
AMILCAR AND Company at COUNTRYMAN/ASOCIACIóN DE LA CAMPESINA (ADLC) WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE HAYDEN met ON HIS TRIP. UPON RECEIVing COFFEE IN PARCHMENT, they PROCEED TO TEST AND TASTE ALL DELIVERIES in THEIR RECEIVING FACILITY. AFTER we witnessed the receiving and TESTING stage, several tables with over 20 coffees were set up over the course of two days. hayden knew IMMEDIATELY from the fragrance of the bean what he wanted: a coffee from idain barrios escalante in CUILCO, HUEHUETENANGO THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN AN 89 POINT RATING. THIS RATING, ACCORDING to THE Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) 100-point scale, MARKS THE COFFEE AS “EXCELLENT,” a high quality coffee that represents the top-tier of what most people will experience in specialty coffee.
WE are grateful for the kindness and hospitality shown by the crew at COUntryman. below, you’ll see pictures from our visit. pictures of the warehouse where bags of parchment are being unloaded reveal the steps taken to view, smell, and test incoming lots. samples are taken from a tryer that pierces the bag in three different spots to get an appropriate amount of coffee to evaluate. ALL BAGS ARE WEIGHED AND MARKED WITH A SERIES OF NUMBERS THAT DENOTES WHERE THE PARCHMENT IS FROM.
Idain Barrios Escalante owns Finca La Paloma and Finca Peña Blanca in Cuilco, an area with many beautiful coffee farms in Huehuetenango. He primarily grows Pacamara, Caturra, and Bourbon varieties but also explores the creation of hybrids. Barrios works to maintain the coffee area already planted and the native forest of their environment. Coffee growing is his livelihood, and he takes great care to produce quality coffee. we are eager for you to try his coffee AND we look FORWARD TO NOURISHING ANOTHER BLOSSOMING RELATIONSHIP.
FARM VISITS WITH COUNTRYMAN/ADLC
After visiting COUNTRYMAN HQ, everyone Ventured out to explore a commune where several producers who work with AMILCAR, the founder of countryman, reside. these were only a handful of THE MORE THAN 200 producers that he works with. displayING an infectious amount of passion for the coffee scene in huehuetenango, AMILCAR SHARES WITH US the workers that toil to produce some of the best coffee in the country. of all of the special moments on this trip, the opportunity to sit down in a room with these producers, ask them questions about their farms, listen to them express their concerns, and share a mutual desire to improve the lives at origin was the most enriching. The stories told and the struggles voiced were motivation to continue to do everything we can to build meaningful relationships that directly and positively impact them.
FOllowing a long and thoughtful discussion, the group walked to visit the farms. each producer took time to explain the varietals they grew, their processing methods, and what they hope to achieve by partnering with amilcar. the hope is to make a good living producing good coffee with the comfort of knowing they don’t have to worry about whether or not they will get paid for their efforts. MISFIT IS a small company with big aspirations and we strive to form lasting connections that support THESE farmers year after year.
FINCA LAS BRISAS
the last and largest farm on our trip was finca las brisas. an enormous farm that has been in the same family for generations, FINCA LAS BRISAS had several compelling facets. of those facets, the washing station pictured below is the largest one that WE HAVFE ever seen. washing stations aren’t common in most PRODUCING COUNTRIES as the volume of water required to operate them is costly and difficult. BUT, you will typically see these stations in parts of Guatemala, el salvador, and kenya.
up the hill FROM THE STATION WAS a freshwater spring where the WATER IS drawN from. the washed processed coffee from finca las brisas was delicious AND THE equipment that makes it all happen WAS QUITE unique.
IN ADDITION TO THE LARGE washing station, they have a beautiful and expansive farm that produces several coffee varietals. we were given a tour of the sprawling agricultural wonder and were amazed by the views and the lush foliage.
until next year
the privilege of traveling to origin is not something to be taken for granted. these trips are fun, of course, but they are also purposeful and we remain steadfast and driven to improve the lives of everyone involved in the coffee supply chain. these stories aren’t just for clicks, they are for education and transparency. THE communication with, and understanding of, the needs of producers, laborers, and exporters is of paramount importance. WE hope you learn from THESE stories as much as you enjoy them. REMEMBER, You have the ability to utilize your purchasING power to enable better livelihoods at origin. WE look forward to continuing to share these coffees and stories with you. THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.
