Guatemala Comal
Cooperative Comal, Comercializacion Maya Alternativa, was founded with the mission to establish an alternative trading market, other than the national market, which is fair, efficient and improves the standard of living of its members. Comal is a civil association that was established in May of 2002. The group is comprised of five associations from five different municipalities in the state of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. The five associations of Comal are located in the Northeastern part of the country in the Cuchumatanes mountain range. The majority of Comal's members belong to the Mayan Man ethnic group, although many ethnicities are represented within the membership, including Maya Kanjobal, Jakalteco,, Chuj, Akateco, Tectiteko, Awacateco, Kiche as well as Mestizos all of who have been profoundly impacted by the Guatemalan Civil War as well as today's poverty.
Despite post Civil War and modern day challenges, coffee and beans have traditionally been cultivated in this region. Today, the association has approximately 390 members of which 164 are working together to sell coffee. For every 100 lbs of coffee they sell, Comal designates $5 as non-revenue in the following way, $1.50 towards administrative costs, $1.50 to educational, $1 to health programs, while the remaining $1.50 goes to each of the five associations. They hope that through their association they will continue to find alternative markets that will respect their culture, men and women, sustainability and community business.
Altitude: 4500 feet
Variety: Bourbon, Caturra
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: December-March
Cup Characteristics: sweet fragrance, floral and fruit forward cup, full creamy body, piquant acidity
