Edelmira Coffee
Edelmira Coffee
The Story
Alfonso Gonzales’s journey to coffee began with visits to his grandmother’s farm in Chiapas, where he witnessed her dedication as the last in a long line of coffee producers. Despite her tireless efforts to sustain the business, the challenges proved insurmountable, and the family tradition was lost. However, the lessons of her resilience and passion stayed with Alfonso, inspiring him to create a future where small coffee producers could thrive.
Maxime Pepinster spent time in Indonesia during a previous job, where he was introduced to the complexities of coffee production. Though not directly involved in coffee then, these experiences left a lasting impression and fuelled his interest in the industry. When Maxime and Alfonso later connected, their shared vision of empowering farmers and elevating coffee quality laid the foundation for Edelmira Coffee.
Our partnership with Edelmira Coffee began at the Copenhagen Coffee Festival, where Maxime’s passion and dedication struck us. After meeting him, he followed up by sending samples of their coffee, which impressed us with its outstanding quality.
Edelmira
Alfonso on the right, Max on the left
The Cooperative
Edelmira Coffee bridges the gap between producers and consumers, shifting from transactional relationships to integrated, collaborative partnerships. This approach fosters transparency, incentivises quality, and creates a virtuous cycle at the foundation of the coffee value chain.
Their commitment to farmer welfare and traceability aligns seamlessly with our values at Amokka®.
The Coffee
Chiapas, in southern Mexico, is a region celebrated for its lush, mountainous terrain and rich coffee-growing history dating back to the 18th century. With elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,000 masl, the area provides ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality coffee.
Over recent decades, farmers in Chiapas have adopted organic practices and disease-resistant coffee varieties, preserving the region’s reputation for producing coffees with distinct chocolate flavours and clean acidity. In 2021, Mexico became the world’s second-largest producer of organic coffee, with Chiapas playing a central role.
Edelmira Coffee works directly with farmers in the Fraylesca and Los Altos regions, fostering sustainable practices by providing fair compensation and higher premiums for exceptional quality. These incentives, combined with agronomy support, motivate farmers to improve and deliver better coffee continuously. Every coffee lot is documented from cultivation to delivery, ensuring transparency and traceability.
Projects
Through our Impact Trade initiative, Amokka® is proud to support Edelmira Coffee’s 2024 Connecting Schools project, which addresses the education gap in rural Chiapas. The project provides satellite internet access to schools in remote communities, starting with Emiliano Zapata, home to 80 school-age children.
In collaboration with CONAFE, Mexico’s national education programme, the initiative will install Starlink satellite systems to bring modern educational resources to students and their families. The project prioritises connectivity for school premises and aims to extend household access, fostering a more connected and informed community.
By funding this initiative, Amokka® contributes to improving education and communication infrastructure in Chiapas. The project aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), ensuring long-lasting benefits for the region’s future generations.
