Angel Marin Carrera

Angel Marin has worked in coffee farming for more than 50 years, and 3 years ago he began selling his coffee in the specialty coffee market with the help of the PECA Program. His farm Finca Llano Guaje is in Southern Oaxaca State, named after the guaje tree, native and sacred to Mexico.

When Ángel was a child he lived in scarcity, since there was no food, he did not have shoes or other items that he needed. Now, after many years and a lot of work, he feels proud to live in other conditions, to live a better life. That is why he continues to work and improve his coffee plantations. He used to sell coffee to “coyotes” or local buyers who do not provide technical assistance, quality premiums, or information. At that time, he felt discouraged because he was not advancing, but 3 years ago, when he started working with Caravela, he felt motivated to see coffee growers treated with respect under a different model.

Over these past harvests, he has renewed old plants, always betting on traditional varieties. He is proud of his work, the farm, and the quality achieved thus far. One of Ángel’s main challenges has been the conservation of traditional varieties such as Typica. In addition to growing coffee, he also grows corn on his plot. During the harvest, he collaborates with his wife Ortencia Zaragoza. Together they process washed coffee and ferment for an average of 48 hours and dry the coffee under shade for an average of 20 days. Ángel shares and highlights, “working with Caravela has motivated me because of the fair prices I receive. Thanks for drinking my coffee. I am grateful to Caravela and its partners, I am proud to represent my community with my coffee.”