We Travel & We Taste: Humbled in Honduras

Cincinnati-based Viva Coffee Roasters is one of the local coffee companies that we are honored to partner with. Not only because they have access to some of the best coffee beans this world has to offer, but because of the impact that comes with each cup.

We had the opportunity to travel with Viva to meet farmers in Marcala and Copán Ruinas, Honduras. We learned firsthand about the ingenious methods used over generations to produce specialty coffee, such as innovative techniques on how to properly ferment coffee, which were shared by Carlos Amaya, a fourth-generation Honduran coffee farmer. This involves moderating temperature and controlling how long the coffee trees develop before harvesting to ensure that the tree is able to gather the essential nutrients before cherries are picked. From there, measures are taken to ensure defects are non-existent in a bag of coffee—from hand sorting the beans used in Viva flavors Abeja and Sol by an area co-op called COMUCAP, to size sorting and color grading observed by BEO, another Honduran co-op. Afterwards, the coffee beans are sent to Viva to be roasted and packaged. 

In addition to providing a delightful cup, Viva is so much more than just coffee. Oftentimes when we buy a bag of coffee, we are looking for a product that will get us energized to start our day. Viva not only has that delightful mouthfeel and taste, but there also is a lasting impact on the farmers because it is all fair trade. What the farmers do with that profit is vital for not only them, but their communities. 

We got to meet a farming co-op called COMSA, which uses profits to create their own fertilizer that eliminates the need for harmful pesticides; owns the only nearby incinerator to properly dispose of biohazards from hospitals; repurposes plastic to make fences, gates, and homes; and sponsors a school where children learn applicable skills for their daily life. We also visited COMUCAP, a woman-owned company that supports women’s and children’s rights. This co-op originated to allow women to learn the skills required to be able to grow coffee to earn a living, which allowed them to have independence and be able to be self-sustaining. COMUCAP uses their funding to provide temporary housing for women and children in need due to domestic abuse, assist with marriage counseling, and to provide education. 

The next time you take a sip of coffee, please appreciate the flavor and the bliss of your cup of Joe, but do not forget to reflect on the positive impact that you have on other people’s lives from thousands of miles away.