Cinco De Mayo Speciality Blend

What is Cinco De Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo, which translates to "Fifth of May" in Spanish, is a cultural holiday celebrated primarily in Mexico and the United States. It commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. Despite being outnumbered and poorly equipped, the Mexican forces, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, successfully repelled the French invasion in a significant symbolic triumph.

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where the historic battle took place. It is marked with military parades, reenactments, and cultural festivities, showcasing traditional music, dance, and cuisine. However, it is not a federal holiday in Mexico and is not widely celebrated outside of Puebla.

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a more widespread celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. It is often marked with festivities, including parades, street festivals, concerts, and parties, where people enjoy Mexican cuisine, music, and dance. Cinco de Mayo serves as an opportunity for Mexican Americans and others to celebrate their heritage and contributions to American society, fostering cultural pride and solidarity.

About Mexican Coffee Beans

Our Cinco De Mayo Mexican speciality coffee is a single origin coffee from Mexico. This particular coffee is produced by a group of smallholder farmers in Chimhucum, where the population is 100% indigenous. The Tzotziles and the Tzeltales are two related Mayan groups that, together with the Tojolabales, inhabit Los Altos and some municipalities in the surrounding area.

The coffee, including Sarchimor, Caturra, and Catuai varieties, is grown under shade trees in the mountains of Los Altos. The farms use sustainable practices, such as compost and water treatment. The producers use artisinal processes such as hand depulping, fermentation tanks, and sun-drying. The most peculiar thing regarding this coffee is that the producers use a semi-washed process, as they only ferment the coffees for between 6 to 12 hours. This creates a lot of unique flavours.

The farm sits in an area that is in the highest part of the region, which is why it has a humid and cold climate for most of the year. As a result, this creates a microclimate for coffee with exceptional flavour in the cup. That's exactly what we have here: you can expect tasting notes of green apple and tropical fruits. It's a very palatable coffee that is bright, with juicy acidity, and a full, syrupy body.

Country: Mexico
Region: Chimhucum
Farm: Los Altos
Variety: Sarchimor, Caturra, and Catuai
Altitude: 1500 - 1800 masl
Process: Semi-washed

Coffee Recipe

We have enjoyed this Mexican speciality coffee when brewed through a V60 or similar pour over method.

Pour Over Recipe:

• 20g dose of coffee
• 300g out
• Brew time of 3 minutes

It does work well with milk though, and makes a nice flat white.

Origin of Mexican Coffee Beans

The origin of Mexican coffee traces back centuries, deeply intertwined with the nation's rich cultural and agricultural heritage. Coffee cultivation in Mexico can be traced back to the late 18th century when Spanish colonizers introduced coffee plants to the region of Veracruz. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that coffee production began to flourish, driven by favorable climatic conditions and increasing global demand.

Veracruz, with its fertile soil and humid climate, emerged as the primary coffee-growing region in Mexico. Initially, coffee was cultivated on small farms, known as fincas, by indigenous communities and later by mestizo farmers. The growth of the coffee industry played a significant role in shaping Mexico's economy and social structure, providing employment opportunities and contributing to regional development.

Over time, coffee cultivation expanded to other regions of Mexico, including Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Guerrero, each offering unique microclimates that influence the flavor profile of the beans. Chiapas, in particular, has gained recognition for producing some of Mexico's finest coffee.

The coffee industry in Mexico has faced various challenges throughout its history, including fluctuating market prices, environmental factors like pests and diseases, and socio-political issues. Despite these challenges, Mexican coffee has maintained its reputation for high-quality beans and distinctive flavors, earning a place among the world's top coffee-producing countries. Today, Mexican coffee continues to be celebrated for its diverse range of flavours, from the bold and earthy to the bright and fruity, reflecting the country's cultural diversity and dedication to sustainable farming practices.