As we approach Patlanalan, the first thing we see are the mountains that surround the lagoon. In the highest parts of these mountains we can see all the small farms that cover their slopes. The coffee producers of Patlanalan live far from their farms, in the lower area of Patlanalan around the lagoon. Since the farms are located far from the houses, all coffee transportation is done via mule. Currently, the producers of Patlanalan sell all their coffee in cherry (much like in Veracruz). In the past, producers in the area used to produce mostly natural coffees. But, the producers’ knowledge about proper management of the natural process was scant, so the results of these ended up being very low quality coffees.
The main reason why the producers of Patlanalan could only produce natural coffee was that the area in which they are located supplies water to the entire state of Veracruz. The risk of water contamination, which can occur when there is inadequate management of wastewater from coffee processing, was totally prohibited. The water sources of the area—the lagoon, rivers, springs and underground aquifers—are strongly protected. Gradually, the producers learned to harvest and sell coffee in cherry, where with the right partners there was potential to produce clean, washed coffees of exceptional quality and begin to access better prices and sustainable partnerships.
