REGION: Oaxaca
PRODUCER: Multiple small farmers
PROCESS: Washed
VARIETY: Typica
ELEVATION: 1700 - 1900 masl
TASTING NOTES: Apricot, apple cider, shortbread

Producer Story

The municipality of Sochiapam is one of Oaxaca's most significant coffee-growing regions, nestled within a heavily forested landscape rich with biodiversity. The area borders a protected natural reserve where commercial activities such as logging, hunting, fishing, and agriculture are prohibited. Local producers take great pride in safeguarding this preserve, recognizing that the health of the surrounding ecosystem is deeply connected to the future of their farms and communities.

Coffee production in Sochiapam is largely driven by smallholder farmers, most of whom cultivate just one to two hectares of land. Mules remain an essential part of daily life, transporting coffee alongside crops such as corn and beans through the region's rugged terrain. Unlike many rural coffee-growing areas, Sochiapam benefits from strong local infrastructure, including schools, healthcare, and other essential services, creating opportunities for younger generations to build their futures within the community rather than seeking them elsewhere.

The Process

Red Fox Coffee Merchants began working with producers in Sochiapam in 2022, introducing a quality-focused approach designed to increase both cup quality and farm profitability. Their efforts encouraged producers to replace lower-quality, rust-resistant hybrids with improved varieties, harvest cherries more selectively, refine fermentation practices, and invest in better drying infrastructure.

While many producers were initially hesitant to adopt these changes, early participants quickly demonstrated the benefits of prioritizing quality over volume. As results improved, more farmers embraced the new practices, leading to a broader community-wide shift. Younger producers, in particular, became champions of the movement, bringing curiosity, competitiveness, and a commitment to continuous improvement that helped accelerate the region's transformation.

The Cup

This coffee reflects the dedication of Sochiapam's producers and the unique environment in which it is grown. The combination of high-elevation farming, careful processing, and a growing emphasis on quality creates a cup with exceptional clarity and balance.

Each harvest represents a community investing in its future—preserving both the natural beauty of Oaxaca's mountains and the traditions that have sustained coffee production there for generations.