The Ija’tz Cooperative is located in San Lucas Tolíman on the shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. One of the most beautiful lakes on earth if you ask me. 

In March 2017 and January 2018 I visited the Co-op. They just started producing coffee again after a few hard years without much coffee production. After donations from the community and the local church the Co-op started producing some great coffee again. In 2017 I contributed by help constructing new fermentation tanks and in 2018 together with Eef coffee we donated to improve and extend the washing channels. At the end of 2019 they are constructing a brand new drying patio.

The community is made up of indigenous Maya families the members grow coffee in surrounding communities on the slopes of the now extinct Volcan Toliman. The co-op is also dedicated to the environment and uses almost no chemicals. Actually, they are as good as organic but in order to maintain quality they have to use some fertilizers to keep there plants in good condition. Because of this there are not able to become 100% organic at this point.

Currently the Co-op has 45 active members. Approx 60% of the members are women. Great to see that the women are fully accepted as members and even arrange a better coffee quality. 

Of the five volcanic coffee regions of Guatemala, Atitlán’s soil is the richest in organic matter. The daily winds that stir the cold lake waters are an important influence on the microclimate, along with the high humidity which is normally around 70-80%. Harvest occurs between December and March.

ORANGE ZEST / CHOCOLATE

HAZELNUT / FLORAL

WASHED PROCESS