Our Farmers
We source exceptional coffees directly from farmers who share our passion for perfection.
Sangster’s Coffee, Blue Mountain, Jamaica
The beautiful Blue Mountains are Jamaica’s longest range and are shrouded almost perpetually by mists providing this region’s hallmark bluish color. Authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is cultivated only at elevations between 3,000 - 5,500 feet in the cloud forests, thriving in the fertile, volcanic soil, regular rainfall and, most importantly, under the island’s misty cloud cover, to shade it from the burning sun.
Sangster’s Coffee from Jamacia’s Blue Mountain is a third-generation family farm with a 40-year legacy. This outstanding coffee is owned and operated by Bindley Sangster, grandson of Jamaica’s second Prime Minister, Sir Donald Sangster, who established the farm in 1981.
“For me, coffee means family,” says Sangster. “Our goal has always been to produce the best cup of coffee you’ve ever tasted. That’s why you’ll find rich, aromatic coffee grown and harvested on our family farm which is set within the heart of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. When I took over the family business after serving in the U.S. Military, my vision was to expand and to create a legacy for future Sangster generations.”
The moment we met Bindley at our roastery in February 2018, our lives immediately became brighter – and we gained not only the perfect farmer as our direct source of Blue Mountain coffee, but also an incredible friend for life. Mr Sangster infuses joy in all things, and his passion for perfect coffee with enduring pride for his land and people couldn’t be a more beautiful fit.
Finca Terrerito, Copán, Honduras
Located in the lush, mountainous region of Copán, Honduras is the spectacular and beautiful Finca Terrerito. Owned and operated by the 5th generation Lopez family, and our dear friends Al and Leticia, these dedicated farmers grace us with excellent coffee, produced by the most exceptional standards of care.
“Finca Terrerito was built with three key pillars in mind: improving lives, sustainability in everything we do, and the production of extraordinary coffee,” says founder, Al Lopez. “Being able to improve lives, farm sustainability, and produce extraordinary coffee. It means everything to me.”
Spanning gloriously over 150 acres of coffee production, this estate is breathtakingly beautiful, incredibly fertile, and filled with bird song. Every element of the environment is cherished and nurtured, as are all who work the land and coffee. The Lopez family has earned distinct recognition for providing women equal opportunities and exemplifying inclusivity, with their “Con Manos de Mujer” (“With Hands of Woman”) designation.
We are proud to be partners with the Lopez Family: producers of excellent coffee and wonderful friendship. Having their beautiful coffee and kindness in our lives is a true privilege. Every cup we share with you is a testament to their dedication, love for the land, and the vibrant community they’ve built in Copán.
Rio Colorado, Palencia, Guatemala
The majestic Rio Colorado farm is located within the Palencia region of Guatemala, just outside the village of San Guayaba. Mr. Jose Colom bought the beautiful rolling hills of this family farm in 1950 and became nationally honored as the “keeper of the trees” for his devoted stewardship of the land. Named after the majestic Colorado River of the US, this Estate extends across a jungle region with excellent soil and climate conditions. Care of the land reaches an additional 533 hectares of forest for water conservation and is one of the largest private reserves in Guatemala. The height of this incredible plantation ranges from 4500-6200 feet above sea level.
Mr. Colom introduced coffee cultivation in Palencia, sharing free seedlings throughout the township and surrounding villages thus fostering the development of coffee as the main crop of the area.
“My father was a pioneer, he brought coffee plants to the Palencia region so people would have an income. Little by little it has expanded,” says Ana Colom de Mendez (owner and manager of Rio Colorado Estate).
All Rio Colorado coffee is grown under shade trees, using the natural forest as a foundation. Their soils are rich, fertile, and the essence of sustainability. Mr. Colom’s daughter and her children Marissa and Jose work passionately, continuing the family legacy in concert with tradition and honor of the land.
We treasure our visits to the Colom Family and their breath-taking, stunning Estate. As custodians of this pinnacle of Guatemalan coffee, we roast it to a perfect Vienna highlighting its balanced and bright character with a profile of sweet spice and dark molasses. The long velvety finish completes the experience, evoking the magnificence of a beautiful land, and beautiful family.
Santa Elena Estate, Tarrazu, Costa Rica
At Mukilteo Coffee Roasters, we source exceptional coffee directly from farmers who share our passion for perfection, and no finer example of this is the many, many years relationship we’ve shared with Luz Marina Trujillo, owner of the beautiful Santa Elena Estate “Where the mountains touch the sky” (Tarrazu region, Costa Rica). The ideal combination of volcanic soil and high-altitude mountain sunlight presents an incredibly balanced coffee of sweet intensity and bold tanginess, with full body and notes of light molasses and dried herbs.
Ms Trujilo’s path to becoming a world-class expert in coffee cultivation started at a young age: “I grew up playing with coffee, not dolls. Dinner conversation was about coffee, weekend picnics were on coffee farms. Coffee, coffee, coffee!”
We have an affinity for farmers who not only produce incredible coffee but go above and beyond in care for the land and its people. Santa Elena is a world class model of sustainability with excellent housing and health care for all workers. We love visiting this Estate, witnessing the love and attention that infuses every aspect of this outstanding business.
Ms. Trujilo is the epitome of class and character, and her coffee resonates the same. She works hard and tirelessly as a third-generation custodian of the magnificent land of Santa Elena and insists on the highest standards of quality, sustainability, and consistency in every detail from seed and soil to crop and cup. We couldn’t possibly be prouder or more grateful having Luz Marina Trujillo (“Light of the sea”) incredible coffee and wonderful friendship in our lives.
At Mukilteo Coffee Roasters, we believe in sourcing the most exceptional sustainable coffees directly from farmers who share our passion for perfection. In journeying to these farms, we witness where and how our coffees are grown, experiencing first-hand the incredible dedication our farmers have for their craft and crops. In turn, they embrace our complete commitment as stewards of excellence from their field, to our roaster, to your cup.
Our way of business relies on developing personal and honest partnerships with farmers that share our goal to provide some of the world’s finest sustainably grown coffee, produced by some of the world’s finest farmers. And we wouldn’t dream of doing business in any other way.