Guerreras

Montaña Alta is a coffee-growing region in the centre of Guerrero. The state is named after Vicente Guerrero, a general who fought against the Spanish in the War of Independence and later became Mexico’s first Black president. Ironically, these days government presence is essentially non-existent in the rural parts of the state, with communities nominating and arming their own autonomous groups who keep the peace.

In the mountains, the coffee-growing communities process naturals, drying the cherries on tarps laid out on land outside their homes. These rural areas are culturally patriarchal, with men generally working and women looking after the house and children. But this coffee is grown by strong women across the region, taking the lead and managing the production and sale of their harvests themselves.

The dangerous reputation of the region means very few buyers travel to work with these communities, and we’re very proud to support Ensambles in their mission to improve the livelihoods of these producers.