Hermes - Mexico Don Rafa Pache

A natural mutation of the typica variety related to a single gene that causes the plant to grow smaller (Dwarf/Compactism), which allows it to be planted more densely and achieve higher yields. The variety was discovered in 1949 in Guatemala on the Brito farm in Santa Cruz Naranjo, Santa Rosa. From there it was selected by mass selection, meaning that a group of individuals are selected based on their superior performance, seed from these plants is bulked to form a new generation, and then the process is repeated. Mass selection took place across private farms in Guatemala, and from there spread to other regions and countries.

Teddy first learned about this variety 10 years ago when he tasted Pache while visiting a village in Mexico and the coffee had amazing characteristics, so he ended up purchasing the seeds of this variety and planting them on his farm and giving them to his members. It is now the representative coffee of Finca Don Rafa and has performed amazingly in global auctions and competitions.

From Teddy’s experience, he emphasizes that it’s not only a unique variety, but it has shown particularly good results for yields and quality in their area where Finca Don Rafa is located. It is usually evaluated as a commercial coffee for production in Guatemala. At Don Rafa, it has consistently performed at the absolute highest levels in regards to quality and its consistent performances over the years in the COE and cupping as high as 91+ points as a testament to highlight the potential of the variety accompanied with good farming and processing practices