Finca El Jardin: La Paz, Honduras
A Fresh Crop Discovery
The equation is simple with our trusted importer friends at Coffee Quest: when they bring in new coffees, we get samples ASAP. Like clockwork, at least one coffee always blows us away, and this season, it’s Finca El Jardin. We first received this lot as a pre-ship sample (meaning before it even left Honduras), making it one of the freshest arrivals possible. That freshness shines clearly in the cup, delivering flavors that are both vibrant and deeply comforting.
Flavor Experience
Finca El Jardín is a naturally processed Pacas varietal that shows clear balance and clarity. The flavor profile consists of crisp tones of navel orange and raspberry, zesty and refreshing, layered over a cozy, round sweetness of dates, brown sugar, and raisins. It’s a harmonious dance between juicy brightness and warm depth, proof of the careful processing and precision at the farm. Unlike your average naturally processed coffee, this lot is exceptionally clean and transparent, showcasing the skill and intentionality behind its production.
The Producer: Mario Mejía
At the heart of Finca El Jardin is Mario Mejía, a 24-year-old, fourth-generation coffee grower. The farm is located in the community of Ojos de Agua, Concepción de Soluteca, La Paz, Honduras, and spans 32 hectares with around 100,000 trees in production. Varietals include Catuai, Pacas, IHCAFE90, Pacamara, and experimental exotics too.
Mario’s story is just as impressive as the coffee itself. After earning a degree in agronomy, he launched the Specialty Coffee Program in his region in 2019, helping other local producers understand and benefit from specialty coffee practices. By 2023, he had built his own wet mill at El Jardin, elevating his own production while also offering processing services to neighboring farmers.
Processing Methods
The precision of processing at El Jardin is what makes its coffees so distinct.
Pacamara Washed Lot – Handpicked and carefully selected cherries are de-pulped in the afternoon, then fermented for 50–70 hours before being washed and laid to dry.
Red Catuai Natural Lot – Cherries are handpicked, rested in grain-pro bags for 24 hours, then placed on raised African beds to dry.
At El Jardín’s elevation, drying takes anywhere from 15 to 30 days, depending on weather and process. This slow, even drying helps preserve clarity and structure in the cup.
Why It Stands Out
Finca El Jardin represents the best of what we love in Honduran coffees: a balance of sweet coziness and juicy brightness, a reflection of both complexity and producer expertise. For us, it’s not just another seasonal standout, but more so a reminder of what happens when tradition, innovation, and care intersect in a single cup.