For over a decade, the Paz family has been responsible for changing the face of Honduras specialty coffee. In 2000, the Paz family built the Beneficio San Vincente mill in Peña Blanca, Santa Barbara, and since 2008 BSV supported coffees have produced five first place wins in the country’s Cup of Excellence (the most of any other mill in the World). The Paz family has also been pivotal in the support and nurturing of Santa Barbara producers. We chat to Benjamin Paz, who’s family have been pioneering and instrumental in changing the face of specialty coffee in Honduras, and Andrew Kelly from Small Batch Roasting Co, Melbourne about the intricate details of his three visits to Honduras, including the Santa Barbara region.
Santa Barbara, Honduras by Andrew Kelly of @smallbatchroast
Benjamin, can you tell me about your work with supporting and nurturing Santa Barbara producers?
At San Vicente we find farmers who produce good coffee or have the potential to do so, and connect them with specialty coffee roasters around the globe. We want to create that bond, that connection. I think, the most important and influential thing we have done, was to discover the area’s potential and show that to the coffee world. Also, with the help of coffee buyers, we organise farmers and, prepare and teach them how to produce better coffee; we also collaborate, to provide farmers with economic resources and needed operational resources. At the end of the day, the goal is to ensure farmers have a sustainable price and roasters/buyers receive a good consistent coffee.