XkaXkon, or “ sacred plant" is deeply rooted in the customs and cultural traditions of Huautla de Jiménez. This region is known for its deep connection with nature and natural healing methods. XkaXkon refers to the historical practice of using hallucinogenic mushrooms for healing rituals and spiritual experiences. The community respects the environment and considers it a living entity interwoven with humanity. Coffee here is also valued for relaxation and concentration.
Huautla de Jiménez, found in the Mazatec Sierra, is an outstanding mountain range with caves, waterfalls, and rich cultural traditions. With a significant indigenous population, preserving the native Mazatec language is important in a region where 70% of the population identifies as indigenous. In addition, many indigenous people prefer communicating in the native Mazatec language to preserve their cultural heritage.
In this region, María Sabina, a Sabia Mazatec (wise woman), shaman and poet, played a crucial role in the history of sacred mushroom ceremonies called "veledas", based on the use of psilocybin mushrooms for spiritual healing in the region. The customs and traditions of XkaXkon highlight the deep connection between people and nature and offer a unique perspective of natural healing passed down through generations.
This group of coffee growers was established in 2022 through a joint prospecting expedition between Goshen Coffee Roasters and Caravela Coffee Exporters. In 2023 we both organized a trip to Huautla de Jiménez, Santa María La Asunción and Xochiton to develop relationships with coffee producers who have historically lacked access to better selling prices, technology and agronomy support to make their farm more profitable and sustainable. As Goshen and Caravela become more invested in this region, Caravela’s Grower Education Program (PECA) has hosted and organized several meetings, training sessions and discussions with more than 60 producers in the region to introduce them into ways to increase their quality and subsequent coffee price premiums. Producers are now working directly with Caravela to improve their livelihoods while showcasing the quality of coffee and the stewardship of they’ve given over their ancestrial lands
The producers who contribute to this coffee have small scale farms of 1–2-hectares where they work as united families and hire locals to carry out farm activities or harvesting, depending on productivity. They produce 80% Typica coffee, 10% Sarchimor and 10% Caturra, grown between February and April at an altitude of 1500 meters. Besides coffee cultivation focusing on traditional practices and organic farming, living in harmony with nature. The region also produces beans, plantains, mushrooms, and medicinal herbs.
Producers focus on selective manual harvesting and separate the coffee fruits by variety before floating the coffee cherries in plastic tanks to remove leaves, sticks and lower-density cherries. The coffee is then pulped with manual pulpers and fermented in plastic tanks for 24 to 36 hours. Once fermentation is complete, the coffee slowly dries, depending on the infrastructure, on either concrete, terraces, palm mats or raised beds.
Once the coffee is dried and safely stored, Caravela's on-site PECA team helps collect dry parchment samples from growers, which are analyzed by their quality team who promptly provides direct feedback to growers. After the coffee producers have received the feedback and confirmation price, the PECA team arranges transportation to pick up the coffee at a primary collection point or directly at the grower's farm. Finally, when the coffee arrives at Caravela’s main warehouse, the quality assurance team performs a verification analysis to ensure the coffee lots meet Caravela quality standards, before additional premium payments are sent to the coffee growers 2-3 days after delivery. All of this has helped Caravela to help growers sell their coffee at higher prices and with more transparency and traceability. All of this showcases why Caravela is such an important relationship for Goshen Coffee Roasters, as they are our boots on the ground who help convey our Good Shit Energy to our growing partners.
