Rosario and Oscar Lemus - Guatemala
Country: Guatemala
Department: Santa Rosa
Municipality: Mataquescuintla
Altitude/Elevation: 5,200 – 5,900 ft (1,600 – 1,800 meters)
Characteristics/Species: Maragogype, Bourbon, Catuaí, Caturra, Pache
Flavor Profile: Bright acidity with balanced sweetness and floral undertones
The beans from Santa Clara Farm make up one of two distinct coffees featured in our Funky Monkey blend.
Lemus family legacy, enriched with each generation
Santa Clara farm, started in the 1960s by the Lemus family, is now managed by siblings Oscar and Rosario, who inherited the legacy of their grandparents. This small family-run farm sits in the high-altitude Santa Rosa region, where Oscar and Rosario have fully embraced the challenges and rewards of cultivating coffee. Their family’s deep connection to the land, passed down for generations, fuels their passion for continuing the tradition of coffee farming. Rosario, who is an agronomist (an expert in the science of soil management and crop production), adds an expert touch to the farm’s practices, improving coffee quality while staying committed to sustainability.
An impeccable region
Santa Rosa, located two hours from Guatemala City, is a region with rich, fertile soil and ideal elevations for growing premium coffee. Sitting over a mile above sea level, this area offers diverse microclimates that benefit the flavor profiles of coffee beans. The high-altitude environment and mixed forestry allow for slow bean development, leading to complex, nuanced flavors. The region’s combination of altitude and shade, provided by native tree species, contributes to the exceptional quality of coffee.
Rodney and the Lemus family work together
The collaboration between SoZo Coffee Roasting and the Lemus family blossomed from a shared commitment to quality and sustainability. By working directly with Oscar and Rosario, SoZo Coffee has helped the family bypass exploitative middlemen, bringing their coffee straight to the Michigan market. SoZo Coffee has also assisted with improvements in the farm’s processes, from post-harvest handling to roasting trials, ensuring the coffee meets the highest standards. The Lemus family’s partnership with SoZo Coffee brings stability and confidence, as their coffee is appreciated by quality-minded roasters and drinkers.
A lasting impression
Through their collaboration with SoZo Coffee Roasting, the Lemus family has seen increased financial stability and recognition for their coffee. This partnership has allowed them to focus on improving farming practices, protecting the environment, and securing a future for their children to continue the coffee farming legacy. With SoZo’s support, the Lemus family is not only producing high-quality coffee but also enriching their community by ensuring ethical practices and sustainable farming methods are at the forefront.
Highlights and additional information
- The farm is located at over 5,700 ft, providing optimal conditions for slow coffee bean maturation.
- The Lemus family has been farming since the 1960s, and the current generation is focused on modern improvements while maintaining traditional values.
- Coffee varieties grown include Maragogype, Bourbon, Catuaí, Caturra, and Pache.
- The farm’s preservation of native species like pine and oak helps maintain environmental balance.
- Rosario is an agronomist, an expert in the science of soil management and crop production.
SoZo Coffee Roasting has supported the farm’s transition away from selling to middlemen, and instead toward fair and direct trade, creating lasting benefits for the Lemus family.