Alejandro Rodriguez
Impressions: pear, vanilla, pecan, brown sugar
Roast degree: medium (3/5)
Country: Guatemala
Location: El Volcancito, Santa Rosa
Variety: Pache San Ramon
Process: Washed
Farmer: Alejandro Rodriguez
Farm: El Guatal
Import partner: Semilla
From the same region as our staple regional blend El Volcancito, here's a micro lot from Alejandro Rodriguez. For nearly four decades now, he has been growing coffee with passion and dedication.
Originally a region known for sugarcane, Alejandro’s grandfather was one of the first people to transition the land to coffee cultivation.
Beyond farming, Alejandro has become a dedicated defender of his land. In 2013, he joined the “Resistencia” of the Xinca people, when he became aware of the threats posed by silver mining activities in the region. By 2015, he started with some of his neighbours a community group called "Guardians of Nature", a group committed to protecting their territory through advocacy and action, and they have worked tirelessly to preserve their land and environment.
Buying coffee from Indigenous producers has a much more positive impact than any carbon neutral certifications. Indigenous people were, are, and always will be fighting for their land, making them instrumental in the fight against climate change.
We love Guatemalan coffees, that is no secret. And every year, the coffee Semilla bring back from El Volcancito and Mataquescuintla are better than the year before.
This coffee from Alejandro is a beautiful, smooth and unpretentious coffee that is good in any methods, with or without milk.
The fruitiness is subtle and reminded us of pears, and the vanilla sweetness is something we never get tired of. Sweet and floral is a beautiful combination.
The coffee also offers strong brown sugar and pecan notes.
| Method | Dose | Ratio | Time |
| Espresso | 16-20 g | 2.3:1 | 32-34 sec |
| Espresso with milk | 16-20 g | 2.1:1 | 36-40 sec |
| Americano | 16-20 g | 2.5:1 | 28-30 sec |
|
V60/Origami |
18-32 g | 17:1 | 3:30-3:45 min |
|
Chemex & Batch Brew |
40-60 g | 16.5:1 | 5:00-5:45 min |
|
French Press |
18-25 g | 16:1 |
4:00min steep time |
Farmer: Alejandro Rodriguez
Importer: Semilla Coffee
Price paid by us to Semilla for the landed coffee at our roastery: 15.40CAD/kg
FOB price: 9.25CAD/kg
Farmgate price: 1950 Quetzal/quintal parchment coffee.
Regional farmgate price (2024): 1200 Quetzal/quintal parchment coffee.
Semilla paid 60% above market price for the coffee.
When you support small roasters like us who support small importers like Semilla, you help us all challenge the coffee status quo keeping the farmers in poverty.
Yes, we still need to find ways to compensate farmers even more for their work, and the more coffee we sell, the more we can implement a vision that centers farmers.