NW - Finca Alba - Mexico 2026

My name is Edzon Jesús Meza López. As a young agronomy student at the Universidad Veracruzana, my journey into specialty coffee began as a path of self-discovery. Searching for my true passion, my father encouraged me to dive into the world of coffee, promising that if I dedicated myself to it, it would show me the world. Today, alongside my family, I manage Finca Alba—proudly named after both my grandmother and my sister, and inspired by the breathtaking sunrises that illuminate our land. Nestled in the high mountains of the Zongolica region between 1,300 and 1,600 meters above sea level, our farm thrives in a warm, humid microclimate rich with native trees and wild pollinators like the Melipona bee. To preserve this delicate ecosystem, our greatest triumph is maintaining a strict, 100% agroecological management model, completely eliminating synthetic agrochemicals to combat pests and diseases.
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Driven by my agronomic background and a commitment to sustainability, I chose to work with 100% Sarchimor (Anacafé 14), a resilient variety that shows incredible adaptability, high yield, and superb cup quality in our terroir. During the February–March 2026 harvest, trained pickers from our local community execute a precise, multi-pass selective hand-picking. The cherries are immediately processed through density flotation tanks to eliminate any defects. To develop a highly sophisticated sensory profile, the coffee undergoes a fermentation, rigorously monitored until the pH drops to a precise 3.5. Once this biochemical target is achieved, the coffee is depulped and transferred to raised beds (zarandas) inside solar dryers for absolute moisture control.

What makes this lot truly unique is the collective passion, scientific care, and human effort poured into every single bean to mirror the vibrant environment of Zongolica. For our farm, the harvest is an inspiring season of community collaboration where men and women share knowledge to constantly elevate our standards. Having this coffee recognized in the Cup of Excellence is the ultimate validation of my father's wisdom, proving that a young producer can achieve world-class quality. It bridges our family brand, El café del mapache, to the global specialty market, shining a well-deserved international spotlight on the exceptional potential of the Sierra de Zongolica.