COUNTRY: Mexico
REGION: Oaxaca
PRODUCER: Café El Zapoteco
VARIETY: Typica, Mundo Novo, Bourbon
PROCESS: Washed

Tasting Notes: Caramel, Cherry Praline

Welcome Back, Cacalotepec - A Coffee Rooted in Nature

Cacalotepec Returns to Our Range! In 2024, The Milk Shed had the privilege of visiting Cacalotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, alongside Red Beetle Coffee Lab & Raw Material Coffee. During the visit the team met Romulo Chávez and his sons, who run Café El Zapoteco, an organisation that represents and sells coffee for many local producers.

Cacalotepec is a biodiversity hotspot where the connection between the land and its people is deeply respected. The community follows organic farming principles by default. While this coffee isn't organically certified, it is entirely organically grown—free from synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. In the coffee industry, this is known as "default organic," as certification is often inaccessible to small producers due to high costs.

The Zapotec people, indigenous to the Sierra Juárez region of Oaxaca, have long cultivated the land with a deep respect for biodiversity. Their agricultural traditions ensure sustainability for future generations, preserving the rich ecosystems that contribute to this exceptional coffee.

We've been sourcing this coffee since 2023, and we're excited to have it back in our range!

What Makes This Coffee Special?

• Default Organic: Grown without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides—natural farming at its best.

• Oaxaca Terroir: High-altitude, shade-grown conditions promote slow development, creating a complex, well-structured flavour.

• Community-Grown: Café El Zapoteco supports many local producers, ensuring fair pricing and high-quality coffee for the entire community.

Tasting Notes & Brewing Tips Expect a rich, full-bodied cup with deep sweetness and layered complexity.

• Caramel – Smooth, buttery sweetness

• Cherry – Bright, juicy fruit notes

• Praline – Nutty and creamy depth

Best brewed as: A bold espresso or a full-bodied French press.

Cacalotepec is back—don’t miss out on this remarkable coffee!