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creativity. He put on a classic instrumental record whose name I can’t recall other than the word ‘sunset’ that was in the title. The others sat intently, listening to the music, probably hoping to capture and interpret the emotions that filled the room. Meanwhile, I grabbed my pen and started writing as I looked out the window. I could see Galiano Island, sitting across the strait from where I lived. I looked at

BY CYNTHIA MCCONNELL

I grew up with three older brothers, so I was a little tomboy. I was a confident young girl and never experienced anxiety while going to school. It’s only unfortunate that now as an adult, I experience it because of my desire to discover what I am good at. I always took on new challenges, traveled to new places, or tried new jobs to find my niche.

When I realized that I like to travel and would drink coffee from different places every time, I thought to myself: Coffee makes me happy.

It prompted me to do some research in a bid to find the perfect coffee beans. I knew Mexico grew coffee because my grandfather was a farmer, and my mom helped out when she was young. Plus, I speak Spanish, so I made phone calls to some farmers I found a farmer whose family has been growing their coffee at high altitudes up at Tapachula Chiapas, Mexico, near the Volcan Tacana since the 1800s. The indigenous people were told they could do what they wished, so they’ve been growing coffee beans with natural water and picking them at the right time, giving them the best flavor.

Because they believe that the coffee beans that grew from higher elevations have the best flavor, the family would go way up in the hills to grow and pick their coffee beans, then carry these 100-pound bags of beans on their back when going down. They have to move the coffee beans every three hours to dry. They also have to know how much to roast and how much to grind. Their specific technique is an art form that has been passed on to them from their grandfathers’ grandfathers.

When I found the source and the family was willing to work with me, we started negotiating. They sent me samples of two types: Robust and Arabica, but they recommended Arabica because it grew at a higher altitude and has a smoother chocolatey taste while also being less acidic.

I tried it, and I was stoked because the coffee was excellent and was nothing like what I had tasted anywhere else. I also got other people to try to see if I was being a little biased, and everyone I asked liked it just as much.

After finally deciding to go for it, we immediately went to work on the permits, customs, FDA, and all other regulatory requirements that we had to comply with.

I felt like a little detective doing all this stuff because there was so much research that I had to do, but I loved all of it. I also enjoyed the research and development process, including working on my company name, logo, and packaging details and dealing with logistics issues.

It was definitely not easy, but we got through it. I recently got my first shipment through the border, and I’ve been putting it out there and selling it through my website at LeafyBeansCoffee.com. I want to grow this business to help keep the coffee artform among the indigenous people of Mexico.

Coffee farming and production are art forms we must protect for the next generation. There are not many independent workers nowadays because their family has grown up, and the kids want to do something else because coffee-making is such hard work but not profitable enough to sustain their families.

About the author:

Cynthia McConnell is the founder of Leafy Beans Coffee LLC, which began its operations in 2021, born out of her love for a good cup of coffee. The company imports and distributes organically-grown Mexican coffee, working directly with an indigenous family to create medium-dark roast coffee.

My vision is to get the best coffee beans available for my clients while at the same time helping the coffee farmers preserve their traditions. I want to help our natives continue doing what they have done best since the 1800s and allow us to enjoy the highest quality of coffee out there.

And so when people get their Leafy Beans Coffee delivered, and when they open it, they’re getting a piece of the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico, of the indigenous people, their hard work, their heart, their passion, and their culture.