How Traditional Latin American Practices Create Better, Healthier Coffee

Growing up across Latin America,  I saw firsthand the beauty of traditional farming practices and the communities that depend on them. I also saw the damage caused by industrial agriculture and exploitative supply chain practices. I knew that at it's root, coffee is a product that can provide for producers and communities while giving consumers a delicious and healthy way to start their day. That’s why I've built  Mayorga Coffee on a foundation of traditional methods, organic farming,  regenerative practices,  and authentic relationships with producers--all designed to produce healthier coffee while supporting the farmers and communities at the heart of the industry.

Coffee Grown with Integrity: Organic Practices

The foundation of healthy coffee begins in the soil. Traditional Latin American farming methods, practiced for generations, focus on natural systems to nurture the land.  Mayorga Coffee, we support protection soil and human health by exclusively working with organic certified farms.  This means no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers ever touches our coffee, ensuring that the coffee you drink is free from any potentially harmful residue.

Organic methods also protect the health of farmers and their communities. I’ve spoken to farmers who have stories about devastating health effects caused by the chemicals introduced by industrial agriculture. Organic farming has given them a way to grow coffee while protecting their families, their land, and the environment.

For us, organic farming isn’t just about certifications; it’s a state of mind that aligns with the way things were always meant to be done—sustainably, respectfully, and with a deep understanding of nature.

Regenerative Farming: Giving Back to the Earth

Organic farming is critical, and recently there has been talk about regenerative farming.  (In my opinion, regenerative CANNOT exist without first being organic). Regenerative agriculture actively rebuilds soil health, increases biodiversity, and captures carbon to combat the impacts of climate change. Many of the farmers we work with have practiced regenerative methods for generations—planting shade trees, rotating crops, managing water, and allowing the land to rest.  This has just been smart, traditional farming for generations.  Through our engagement, our producers have formalized these practices via soil studies, water management plans, agroforestry plans, etc.

I’ve seen what regenerative practices can do on organic farms. They continually feed and nurture the soil, generate higher yields, and create secondary means of income. Healthy soil produces better coffee, but it also secures a future for the farmers and their children by ensuring soil health.

Traditional Farming and Roasting: Wisdom in Every Bean

There’s a reason traditional farming methods have stood the test of time. Practices like handpicking only the ripest coffee cherries and drying them naturally under the sun preserve the quality and integrity of the beans. These methods are slower and more labor-intensive, but they result in a cleaner, richer cup of coffee.

The same care extends to how we roast our coffee. I learned to roast in the mountains of Matagalpa, Nicaragua on a steel drum.  That's where I learned that traditional roasting methods, which prioritize a slow roasting processes, protect the natural antioxidants in coffee and develop a rich, smooth cup. Since 2010, we have been exclusively organic and are proudly the largest exclusively organic coffee roaster in the United Sates.  When we roast, we do so ensuring every batch reflects the pride of the farmers who grew it and the communities that depend on it.

The Importance of Happy Farmers and Thriving Communities

Healthier coffee doesn’t just come from healthier soil—it comes from happier farmers. When farmers feel respected, empowered, and fairly compensated, their work reflects that pride. At Mayorga Coffee, we invest in long-term partnerships that touch over 6,000 small-scale farmers across Latin America.

These partnerships are about more than money. They’re about building trust, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities. A farmer who can afford to send their children to school or invest in better equipment is a farmer who can focus on producing exceptional coffee. Strong farming communities mean stronger supply chains, and they benefit everyone—from the grower to the consumer.

Why It Matters

When you choose coffee grown through traditional, organic, and regenerative practices, you’re making a choice that supports your health and the health of our planet. You’re supporting farmers who take pride in their craft and invest in their communities. Most importantly, you’re aligning yourself with a model that values people, planet, and product equally.

We might be a coffee company, but we're much more than that first. We’re people who come from Latin America and work every day to prove that traditional methods and modern wellness go hand in hand.. So next time you pour yourself a cup, take a moment to appreciate the journey it took to get to you. From the hands of the farmer to the hard working team at Mayorga, every sip tells a story of tradition, health, and hope.

Con Orgullo Latino,

Martin Mayorga
Founder & CEO, Mayorga Coffee