We will now travel south to our neighboring country, sister to the United States, Mexico. Mexico is a part of North America, so although we as people from the United States claim we are from “America”, America also extends to many other countries south of us. Sharing this Northern continent, Mexico is lower on the equator and reaps the benefits of more areas with tropical climates. Although she experiences more heat then us up north, compared to other coffee growing countries Mexico has found its niche. Why? Because of the diversity of climate zones it has more favorable areas to grow higher quality coffees. Many plantations are found in areas like Chiapas or Oaxaca Mexico that border cooler mountain regions. This makes for the perfect humidity and temperature for the coffee bean. Were you aware of the diversity of Mexico’s climates and ecosystems? You can go from 9,000 feet mountains with pine forests and in a mere couple of hours be in the tropical paradises of the beach or jungles.

Mexico is the 8^th largest grower of coffee in the world. With the rise in demand for organic and ethically grown coffees her coffee economy is on the rise. Shade grown, ethically grown coffee has been the normal practice here since the arrival of the first Coffee plantation in 1880. Finca Argovia in Chiapas Mexico is claimed to be the first coffee plantation in Mexico, the plants introduced by the Swiss. This plantation is still in working order and you can visit or stay on the plantation, enjoying coffee, wonderful food, relaxation and the diverse cultures of Chiapas Mexico. Indigenous Families are the backbone of Mexicos organic coffee industry. For example, coffee is grown in 88 of the 122 municipalities of the state of Chiapas, 45 of those are nearly 100 percent indigenous (1).

How is Coffee in Mexico Traditionally Prepared?

Its hard to go anywhere in Mexico without finding coffee brewed and ready to drink. From city coffee shops with espresso to the common roadside small eateries owned and operated by families to the intimacy of the families home.

Cafe de olla (pronounced oya):

If you want to steer clear of instant coffee in Mexico either head to an espresso shop or when you are getting a cup of coffee somewhere make sure to ask if it is cafe de olla? Otherwise they may bring you a spoon, hot water and a jar of Nestle’s instant coffee, which can be quite the let down! What is cafe de olla? It literally means coffee from the pot. This is how coffee is traditionally brewed in most parts of Mexico, with real coffee!

1. Cafe molido or ground coffee is placed into a traditional clay pot to be brewed. The water is brought to a boil and then left to simmer as the grounds, gently with time, find their way to the bottom of the container. It is kept warm usually on an open fire (which also ads to the unique flavor) for the duration of the morning or day. You can find it prepared in other vessels like the classic metal pot in less traditional areas.
2. A variation of Cafe de olla is the addition of cinnamon, which is not uncommon. Mexican coffee can contain cinnamon (canela) and even their favorite, some spicy chiles!
3. Be prepared for your cafe de olla to be sweet, they like their sugar! It is sweetened with raw sugar they call piloncillo or panela.

In Mexico you will see locals in the morning enjoying a hot cup of coffee and a sweet bread to start their day. Those hard Mexican sweet breads were made for dunking in a fresh cup of coffee and enjoyed with family and friends. In some areas this tradition has a place at the evening table or porch before bedtime as well.

References:

1. https://cronkite.asu.edu/projects/buffett/chiapas/fair-trade-coffee-a-big-business-but-indigenous-growers-not-getting-rich