Carlos Cadena: Veracruz, Mexico
Through our nine-year partnership with Cafe Imports, we’re often able to taste exceptional coffees before they’re widely released. When their team shared this natural lot from Veracruz, we immediately knew it fit our style.
The cup is crisp and structured, with vibrant acidity and a remarkably clean finish. It bursts with bright, fruit-forward character and lively sweetness, yet remains transparent — the processing enhances the coffee’s inherent qualities rather than overpowering them. It’s a clear example of how refined and precise modern natural processing has become.
We secured as much as we could.
The Producer: Carlos Cadena
Carlos is a fifth-generation producer in Cosautlán, Veracruz, with family roots in coffee dating back to the 1890s. Today, he and his family manage six farms totaling roughly 3,150 quintales of production.
After rust disease heavily impacted the region in 2013–2014, Carlos and his father shifted from strictly traditional practices to a more research-driven, quality-focused approach. That transition marked a turning point. Since 2018, Carlos has separated lots by variety and explored Natural and Honey processing methods to better understand how each variable shapes the cup.
His dedication to quality has led to major recognition, including 3rd place in Mexico’s 2023 Cup of Excellence and 1st place in the 2024 experimental category auction.
For Carlos, coffee is more than work — he cups daily and continuously experiments, always refining.
Farms & Forward Thinking
Carlos manages several distinct farms in Cosautlán:
Finca Xilontla — 85 hectares (60 cultivable), planted with varieties including Gesha, Marsellesa, Colombia, Sarchimor, and more.
Finca Pocitos — A farm he began with his father in 2015, now producing award-winning lots, including experimental naturals.
Finca Huehuetepan — Established around 1955, still home to original Typica plants whose seeds continue to be propagated.
Across all properties, Carlos prioritizes sustainability. He composts coffee pulp, repurposes waste materials, and has implemented water recapture systems to conserve and reuse resources.
Why We Love This Coffee
This lot captures what excites us about modern Mexican specialty coffee: clarity, vibrancy, and intention. It’s fruit-driven but precise, it’s expressive but clean, and it’s a natural process coffee that feels polished and transparent.
We’re proud to share this refined, radiant Veracruz lot — a coffee that reflects both generational history and forward-thinking innovation.