The 550 farmers in this coop focus on organic fair trade coffee, but only as part of a larger strategy to achieve their ambitious goals. These include not only sustainable economy and ecology (the coop farmers are avid savers of heirloom maize seeds), but preservation of the Paez cultural traditions. The Paez are the largest indigenous group in Colombia, and they have won constitutional control over their ancestral lands. From the Fondo Paez growers, we purchase an heirloom coffee variety called Typica. Grown under a lush shade canopy at a high altitude, Typica results in an extremely high-quality and hard bean. Our gentle roast enhances the Typica's true flavor and clarity.

In February 2008, in a blind cupping, Coffee Review awarded our Fondo Paez roast a 95 -- the highest score for any Colombian in the country. It was also ranked in the top three in the country by Consumer Reports.