Marcala is a region in the west central area of Honduras known for some of the highest quality coffees in the country, such high quality that it was the first Central American growing area to gain Protected Origin Denomination for coffee.
Having this denomination of origin benefits both producers and consumers of a product. In the case of coffee producers, it becomes a differentiation and a way to maintain quality standards adding a premium to their bottom line, for the consumer it translates into a guarantee of quality through specialization.
There are 19 municipalities and 202 villages that comprise the Marcala DO, they all follow strict standards of quality during planting, harvesting, and post harvest which all go in line with sustainability. Marcala coffee only allows select coffee varietals such as Bourbon, Catuai, Caturra, Pacas, and a couple others.
The Marcala coffee region contains part of the Lenca Trail, a 76-mile route winding through Honduras’ western highlands which gives a window into the culture of the Lenca people. Many of the coffee farmers in this region are of Lenca descent and employ traditional methods that go in harmony with nature. These methods are perpetuated, improved, and passed on by number of co-ops such as COMSA.
Honduran coffees from areas like Marcala rival high grown Guatemalan coffees in flavor and body. Altitudes in Marcala are normally 1300masl or higher making most of the coffee SHG
or Strictly High Grown, a marker of quality by default. It is for this reason that we are excited to have found our newest Central American offering, a delicious Honduran Marcala coffee coming next week. Stay tuned!
