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If you’ve never had the privilege of sampling Mexican coffee in your coffee shop or elsewhere, you’re missing out on a delicious flavor. On the whole, it boasts a flavor that’s incredibly delicate while offering overtones that are both pleasantly dry, and slightly acidic.
Although Mexican coffee isn’t as famous as Southern American and Ethiopian blends, if you prefer a cup of Joe with a lighter body to it, you’re bound to fall in love with Mexican coffee beans.
So, let’s delve into this in a little more detail!
Organic Coffee Growers5
Not to mention, Mexico’s home to tons of certified organic coffee growers. You may have seen one or two flavors of coffee from Mexico in these in Northern American specialty menus
So, when we talk about ‘organic,’ we mean beans that aren’t tainted by:
- Pesticides,
- Fungicides,
- Herbicides,
- Any other harmful chemicals,
This is super important for ensuring the integrity of the coffee bean stays intact and exudes the best possible taste- delicious!
Why Isn’t There Much Mexican Coffee in the U.S?
Interestingly, coffee from some of the most celebrated regions in Mexico isn’t usually found in the US market. That’s not because it isn’t top-notch, instead, it’s because we’ve only just cottoned on to how amazing Mexican coffee is!
On the whole, we’re referring to coffee that’s grown in the following Mexican states:
- Liquidambar,
- Santa Catarina,
- Irlandia,
- Germania,
- Hamburgo,
Coffee from these areas is far more likely to be sold throughout Europe, and especially Germany.
Mexico’s Top Regions for Growing Coffee
Mexicans have been planting coffee since the late 1700s, so it’s hardly surprising they’ve got pretty good at it. Most of Mexico’s coffee comes from the southern region and is characterized by the height of the altitude the beans grow in.
Some of the best coffee produced here comes from the southern-east corner. This is an incredibly mountainous area close to the Guatemalan border. The volcanos provide soil that’s terribly fertile. This helps to ensure the coffee beans get all the nutrients they need to grow and flourish so the flavor can truly develop.
For example, Chiapas coffee unsurprisingly grows in the southern state of Chiapas. The hot and tropical climate here provides the optimum growing conditions for coffee, so these beans are next-level!
Fun Fact: You might be more familiar with the name, Tapachula when it comes to describing this strain of coffee. Interestingly, it’s named after a nearby town to where the coffee grows.
In fact, a top-notch Chiapas coffee is said to rival some of the more exceptional Guatemalan coffees, so they’re definitely worth a try if you haven’t already!
Veracruz Coffee
If you head over to the gulf side of Mexico’s central mountain range, you’ll find Veracruz. Most of the coffee here is grown in the lowlands. However, on the whole, it’s nothing to rave about.
On the other hand, the more mountainous part of the region produces Altura Coatepec which is delicious — aptly named after the town of Coatepec. You’ll also find Altura Huatusco, and Altura Orizaba, these are other popular coffees that are grown here, which are equally as delightful.
Oaxaca Coffee
This coffee is grown on the southern slopes of the central mountains of Oaxaca. These beans produce a beautifully light coffee which is aptly named Oaxaca Pluma coffee.
On the whole, regional coffees from both Chiapas and Oaxaca tend to be the best there. Not only are they delicious but they’re usually pretty reasonably priced. Most the brands selling these kinds of coffees offer whole beans that are 100% organic and fair trade- so be sure to look out for that when you start perusing bags of coffee!
What’s Mexican Coffee Used For?
As we’ve already said, Mexican coffees tend to be incredibly mild, which makes them perfect for beautifully flavored coffees. It doesn’t overpower the central taste of the flavoring which makes them a joy to work with.
Equally, they’re just as lovely unflavored, and you can prepare them using almost any coffee method at your disposal.
What Mexican Coffee Should I Buy?
As we’ve just alluded to, it’s always best to grind freshly roasted coffee beans rather than using pre-ground coffee granules. Whole coffee beans provide the drinker with a way better taste. Plus, if you store whole coffee beans properly, you can make them last weeks. Whereas, if you purchase pre-ground coffee you’ll need to consume it within days.
Also, if you really want to enjoy a higher-quality cup of coffee, we recommend buying from a local roaster. Ideally, the roaster should purchase green coffee beans from Mexico and roast them themselves.
This is essential because once the beans are roasted, the coffee quickly begins to expire and it starts to lose its gorgeous flavor. So, ensure you buy a bag of coffee that’s been roasted within the last five days, so your first few cups will taste blissful!
Unfortunately, most coffees you buy from local supermarkets spend weeks going through the supply chain and getting shipped, which results in a coffee that’s usually already stale. This is especially true of smaller-scale Mexican farmers and roasters. Often they lack the equipment to successfully remove all the oxygen from the coffee bags they’re sealing.
If you’re looking to try a delightful Mexican coffee, then you won’t be disappointed by any of the below brands. They’re all famous for their light body, and overtones of nuts and chocolate.
Needless to say, these taste profiles vary from brand to brand and will depend on the region the coffee beans are grown. However, Mexican coffees tend to showcase these flavors time and again.
1. Fresh Roasted Coffee
This brand offers several Mexican coffees, including an organic Chiapas whole bean. Alternatively, if you fancy a go at roasting yourself, you can buy fresh Mexican coffee beans from the same brand. If you’re able to roast your own beans, we highly recommend that you do because you’ll enjoy a fresher flavor.
2. Coffee Bean Direct
This brand is another US-based roaster. They offer many products, but we love their organic Fair Trade Mexican Chiapas, it’s delicious.
Alternatively, you can also purchase the same beans in their unroasted form.
3. Dancing Moon Coffee Company
This is a dark roast Mexican Chiapas coffee. If you’re looking for a cup of Joe boasting a crisp acidity which is complemented by a nutty overtone, this is the coffee for you. You should also detect a subtle taste of brown sugar, chocolate, and citrus all within its beautifully sweet body.
These coffee beans are grown in the sade, approximately 4,500ft high in the Sierra Madre mountains. Not to mention, they’re also certified as Fair Trade, and they’re 100% organic- what could be better?
4. Cafe La Selva
This is another gorgeous organic, fair trade, Chiapas coffee. These coffee beans are grown way up high in the Lacan Dona Jungle. They’re perfect for any coffee drinker wanting to enjoy a medium bodied cup of java that exudes a fresh acidity with hints of nuttiness.
5. Volcanica Coffee
Volcanica sells a Mexican coffee with medium bitterness. Yet, the flavor is still incredibly sweet and smooth, not to mention you’ll relish the delicious hints of hazelnut. All in all, this makes for a pretty well-balanced cup of java.
Best of all, Volcanica doesn’t roast the coffee until you’ve placed your order for maximum freshness
This single estate micro-lot coffee is wonderfully acidic, has a rich body, an intense flavor, and a fragrant aroma coupled with mellow winy overtones. Get 10% off site-wide using code 2CAFF10, valid through Dec 31, 2021.
6. Ahh…Cupella
Based in Oregon, this brand offers a beautiful Mexican Altura, where the coffee beans are again grown in the shade at high altitude, then processed using the wet method.
If you prefer a milder tasting coffee, with a light body, that’s packed with flavor; then give this a try. Alternatively, if you prefer something a little stronger, just add another scoop- this usually does the trick!
7. Wild Coffee
This is a Mexican bean that comes from the Chiapas region. On the whole, this coffee is grown anywhere between 2,600 and 5,900ft high.
Tastewise, the flavor profile is full of nuttiness with scents of caramel and chocolate- delicious! Plus this coffee is certified as Fair Trade, and entirely organic- win-win!
Wild Coffee, Single-Origin Chiapas, Mexico Dark
Wild Coffee is renown for producing high-quality coffee, and they always adhere to Free Trade protocols and work alongside farmers who only administer organic growing methods.
Plus, only Arabica coffee beans are used that have been wet processed. This results in a beautifully fresh, crisp taste.
If you have a preference for low acidity coffees, then Simpatico Coffee could be just the ticket. This is another brand that’s shade-grown at high altitude within the mountains of Oaxaca.
Plus, they only use the services of small family farmers who harvest their coffee crops using traditional methods.
This coffee is best described as having a smooth and creamy taste. Once more, if you enjoy the beautiful flavor of dark roast coffee, but the high acidity is usually too rough on your stomach, this coffee makes for a lovely alternative.
Last but not least, if you want to shop ethically, you’ll be pleased to hear this brand takes pride in their environmental roasting practices. They also have a remarkable green initiative that helps them roast coffee beans without emitting any harmful gasses into the environment. They also make an effort to reduce its overall carbon footprint throughout all their operations. So, if you’re passionate about supporting eco-friendly companies, this brand is the one for you!
Final Thoughts
Mexican coffee is milder, but it’s still delicious. You can try a new Mexican coffee recipe and enjoy new flavors constantly, whether is by adding a cinnamon stick, whipping cream, ice cream, evaporated milk, ice, you name it! Try and shop for whole beans at your local roaster. However, if that isn’t possible, none of the above products should disappoint!
Further read:
How to Find the Best Ethiopian Coffee Beans – What to Look For
The Best French Vanilla Coffee Beans for You
FAQs About Mexican Coffee
What does Mexican coffee taste like?
Mexican coffee comes with a nuttier flavor and it is well known for its high acidity levels and light body.
Where is Mexican coffee grown?
Some of the finest Mexican coffee is grown by organic farms which are from Oaxaca, Coatepec, and Chiapas and these beans are used for dark roasted coffees.
How do Mexicans drink their coffee?
In Mexico, people usually add cinnamon, sugar or milk in their coffee in the process of brewing, in order to sweeten up the coffee.
