GROW TOGETHER

At the heart of Edelmira's sourcing operation is Beneficio Edelmira - a network of 35 communities of indigenous Tzeltal smallholder farmers located in the buffer zone of the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas. The El Triunfo reserve is one of Mexico's most significant protected areas, and its buffer zone provides the altitude, shade, and biodiversity that underpin the quality of the coffee grown there.

Edelmira's field technicians work directly with these farming communities throughout the year — not just during harvest. They provide technical assistance, tools including refractometers, pH meters, and thermometers, and training focused on improving agricultural practices to boost both crop productivity and fruit quality. All support and communication is delivered in the Tzeltal indigenous dialect, reflecting the depth of Edelmira's integration into the communities they work with.

Coffee has been grown in Chiapas since the 18th century. Mexico's southernmost state offers exceptional conditions for coffee agriculture: a mountainous, forested environment with farm altitudes ranging from 1,300 to 2,000 metres above sea level. Originally a Bourbon Arabica-dominant region, Chiapas farmers have moved significantly toward organic farming practices over the past decade and introduced new varietals from Central America to improve resistance to coffee rust while maintaining the region's characteristic cup profile of chocolate and clean acidity.

Mexico was the second largest producer of organic coffee in the world in 2021 - a position shaped in large part by the farming communities of Chiapas. Edelmira sources from the Fraylesca and Los Altos regions, two of Chiapas' most established specialty coffee growing areas, as well as through partner cooperatives they financially support.

Every coffee lot Edelmira produces goes through a meticulous grading process carried out by their panel of independent Q Graders, who grade all lots according to Coffee Quality Institute standards, assess cupping notes, recommend roasting applications, and select the finest lots to be offered to clients.

All of Edelmira's coffees are certified organic and Fairtrade, with certifications valid in the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States. Their offer covers two grades: Community Lots (80–85 SCA points), sourced from partner communities or small producer cooperatives and available in higher volumes; and Microlots (85+ SCA points), from specific high-altitude plots, harvested with the highest care and available in limited quantities.

Edelmira manages the full supply chain from farmgate to final delivery, with no intermediaries at any stage. This includes dry milling, domestic and international transport, and all logistics administration. Full transparency is provided on lot origin, handling standards, and inventory at every point in the journey.

Beyond their own coffees, Edelmira also provides export and logistics services to other Mexican specialty producers who lack the infrastructure to access international markets directly. Their mission extends beyond their own sourcing - they see themselves as a catalyst for broader access to the specialty market for Mexican coffee farmers.