Coffee Origins

Aruco Cooperative: Honduras

Aruco Cooperative: Honduras

The Overview

Character: i
Colour: i
Region: i Corquin, Copan
Varietal: i IHCAFE 90
Altitude: i 1200m -1500m
Process: i Natural
Cup Score: i 85.0

The Origin

This exceptional coffee is a testament to the collaborative efforts of over 30 dedicated producers participating in the Aruco micro-lot program in the Corquín, Copán region of Honduras. 

Nestled in the verdant hills of the Copán Department in western Honduras, near the Guatemalan border, lies the Aruco Cooperative. This remarkable collective was founded in 2006 by a small group of 14 producers with a shared vision: to achieve fairer prices for their meticulously grown, high-quality coffees. Their name, "Aruco," pays homage to the Río Aruco, a vital waterway originating in the protected Celaque National Park, highlighting their deep connection to the land.

Today, the Aruco Cooperative has flourished, supporting over 200 dedicated producers across the Corquín region. These farmers cultivate their beans at impressive altitudes, ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 meters above sea level, a condition known to contribute to the coffee's complex flavour profile. You'll find a diverse array of prized coffee varietals thriving in this region, including Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, the resilient IHCAFE 90, and even the highly sought-after Gesha.

A Commitment to Sustainability and Community

The Aruco Cooperative's impact extends far beyond the exceptional coffee they produce. They are deeply committed to the well-being of their members and the environment. They actively promote sustainable farming practices, holding organic certification – a testament to their dedication to ecological responsibility.

The cooperative provides crucial support to its members, offering technical assistance to enhance farming techniques, implementing quality improvement programs, and providing vital financial support. This holistic approach empowers producers and strengthens the entire coffee-growing community.

A Taste of Their Dedication

The natural processing method, meticulously carried out at the Aruco mill (situated at a strategic 800 meters above sea level for optimal drying conditions), involves careful selection of ripe cherries, cleaning, washing, and floating to remove imperfections. The beans are then dried in solar tents for 15-20 days, turned regularly to ensure consistent moisture reduction and preserve their unique characteristics.

With an SCA cup score of 85, this coffee showcases the quality and care that goes into every bean, from the high-altitude farms to the meticulous processing at the Aruco mill.

Collect the Cards

Every coffee we source has an incredible story – an epic journey from its origin to your cup at home or in store. To honor this, we commission unique illustrated cards for each of our featured coffees.

These aren't just labels; they're collectible pieces of art that celebrate the very essence of each coffee. Each card is a small, beautiful tribute to the farm, the community, and the landscape where our beans are grown, captured by the hands of a talented artist.

We believe that every cup is an adventure, and these cards are your personal mementos. Collect them with every bag you purchase and build your own gallery of the world's most incredible coffee journeys. Each card is a new page in your coffee story.

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