Empowerment & Sustainability
Honduras Gea Women's Project Coffee
OHCO are super-proud to be introducing our Honduras Gea Women's Project Coffee, a very delicious blend that not only packs a flavoursome punch, but is also a tribute to the determined spirit of over 400 women producers.
Named after the Greek goddess of the Earth, Gea, this regional blend is the brainchild of Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) exporter Becamo. The women behind this exceptional coffee are up before daylight to work the plantations, balancing the demands of their home life with the demanding tasks of the plantation. These producers exemplify incredible determination to make this project succeed, not just in terms of financial reward, but also by creating a top quality product.
Sourced from beans from Lempira, Ocotepeque, Intibuca, Copan, La Paz, El Paraíso, and Comayagua, the Honduras Gea Organic Coffee is a hugely complex flavour. Cultivated at altitudes ranging from 1,100 to 1,650 meters, the coffee beans have multiple drying techniques from simple patio trays to solar dryers and raised beds, which all adds up to a unique coffee that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Part of the CAUFUL cooperative, many Gea producers were part of Becamo’s Recuperando mi Cafetal (RMC) programme, established in 2015 to aid coffee families in recovering from the leaf rust epidemic, known as ‘La Roya’, an airborne fungus that decimated coffee production in the region. It was eventually overcome by agronomists partnering with producers, to treat the blight as a chance to ‘reset’ their coffee production techniques, sharing best practices on plant nutrition, pest control and the preparation of bio-fertilisers to finally eradicate it from their crops. The RMC programme has since evolved into the NKG Bloom initiative, offering expanded help across the country.
What sets Gea coffee apart is not just the meticulous care put into its cultivation but also the dedication of these women to transform rough patches of land into successful coffee farms. They plant timber and fruit alongside coffee crops, fostering microclimates that enhance the complexity and quality of the coffee produced.
The flavours of Honduras Gea Organic are a reflection of the diverse regions from which the beans originate. Every cup encapsulates the essence of the fertile lands of Lempira, the rich soils of Copan, and the vibrant coffee culture of El Paraíso.
So as you savour the Honduras Gea Women's Project Coffee, you should take a moment to appreciate the incredible story behind it. These women producers are not only cultivating coffee, they are also creating economic opportunities, lending a helping hand to each other at harvest time, sharing invaluable advice; this coffee more than just a simple drink — it’s a true testament to strength, perseverance and camaraderie.
"When you dive into our Honduras Gea Women's Project blend," suggests OHCO’s mast roaster Paul, “you’re catching a vibe of caramel, maybe a nutty touch of almond, a bit like a delicious old school toffee sweet. There’s also a subtle hint of apple in there, so it’s not too over-sweet. I think the combination of altitudes, locations and producers give a very well-balanced flavour. Not too heavy, not too light, we think that helps make it a great all day drinker. I think it’s 100 per cent organic production really tells too, it’s a very clean, fresh tasting coffee, there’s obviously a lot of love gone into making it
“It’s not just a great coffee for us to stock flavour wise” he continues “it’s also an incredible story. The way Honduras has recovered from the leaf rust epidemic, and the way these women were driven to create such a great economic opportunity out of that situation is amazing. We’re just really proud to be able to share their hard work, and their great coffee with our customers.”
“You’re catching a vibe of caramel, maybe a nutty touch of almond, a bit like a delicious old school toffee sweet”
Find out more about our Smooth & Silky
Honduras GEA Womens Project
