Sustainable Coffee Produced by Indigenous Peoples Who Protect Mother Earth
Between northern Colombia and Venezuela, close to the Caribbean coast and Milly’s hometown lies the Serranía del Perijá, a mountain range where the eastern Andean branch ends. With altitudes that reach up to 3.630 MASL, it is a sanctuary of flora and fauna, including numerous coffee plantations and other crops.
The area is also home to around 700 families of indigenous peoples that have inhabited the Serrania del Perijá and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta for centuries. Together with some farmers from the region, they have worked to become one of the most renowned indigenous cooperatives in Colombia: Anei. Our newest arrival of Colombian coffee is the product of their efforts. Learn more about their work and why their coffee is environmentally sustainable.
Protecting Mother Earth
Anei works with coffee producers from 4 different indigenous communities: Arhuacos, Koguis, Kankuamos and Wiwas, who descend from the Tayronas, an antique civilization. They grow traditional coffee varieties and preserve biodiversity, working under the premise that “small actions add up to solutions to the greater needs of the communities”. They address the wellbeing of their land, the producers and their families, with a focus on sustainability.
These communities aim to protect mother earth as the source of life, with traditional agricultural practices, because taking care of it will not only give back good harvests, but will also allow humans to live in harmony with nature. This is why they meet the requirements to obtain the Fair Trade and Organic certifications with no difficulty.
To achieve this, they work under the Law of Origin, dividing the care for Mother Earth between the four elements of nature.
Water
As a source of life, it must be protected and should not be polluted. For this reason, the cooperative has been supporting its members to implement biological filtration systems.
Air
We all breathe the same air. This is why it should not be contaminated, and the members of Anei find it very important not to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, or engage in any other activity potentially harmful to the air.
Earth
The indigenous peoples of the Serranía del Perijá and the Sierra Nevada consider mother earth or Seynekun, as they call it, a female element and the beginning of existence, in charge of the equilibrium between humans and ecosystems. Their agricultural practices for coffee production include agroforestry systems, to preserve soil fertility and health, by planting native trees around coffee plantations. This results in different cup profiles.
Fire
The sun gives light to our environment and together with the moon and the stars, it plays a significant role in the lifecycles of the earth. It is cared for through spirituality, and at certain times of the year, the mamos or tribal leaders honour it with different rituals and ceremonies.
Anei also carries a great deal of social work for the benefit of its members. Thanks to the Fair trade certification premiums, they have been able to create educational programs for the youth, gardens that ensure food security for its communities, and gender equity initiatives, as well as improving their coffee production facilities and regional infrastructure.
About The Coffee
When you purchase our coffee from Serrania del Perijá, you are not only supporting these communities, but also contributing to care for our planet with traditional knowledge and wisdom.
This coffee is harvested between October and March, and gathered in collection centers that have processing facilities.
To enhance the flavour notes of this blend of typica, castillo, bourbon and caturra varieties, we roasted it for espresso. It is a great match for afternoon pastries or a sweet breakfast.
