In the fertile lands of Los Altos de Chiapas, Sakubel is born, a coffee that celebrates each sunrise and the tireless work of Tseltal producers who care for their crops, till the land, and protect their territories.

This lot represents farming families from Tenejapa, Chenalhó, and Oxchuc, spanning several generations whose livelihoods are deeply rooted in family-based agriculture.

Coffee here is grown using traditional mountain or “rusticano” practices, where trees thrive under the shade of native and fruit trees. These methods strengthen resilience against leaf rust, support biodiversity, and bring environmental benefits that sustain local communities. Coffee also grows alongside the traditional milpa system, where corn, beans, squash, chili, and other vegetables are intercropped, supporting food security and soil health.

Producers face challenges such as water scarcity, difficult access, limited market opportunities, labor migration, and leaf rust. Many families adapt through resilience and collaboration, with women often taking leadership roles while children help maintain coffee and milpa cultivation.

Los Altos de Chiapas is renowned for its ideal altitudes and traditional varieties like Typica and Bourbon, which give coffees their complexity. Ensambles works year-round with producers, training them in sustainable farming, harvest, and post-harvest processes. During harvest, coffees are cupped in Oaxaca and Coatepec, Veracruz, with producers receiving quality scores and recommendations to improve future crops. Strategic warehouses help consolidate coffee and shorten distances between producers and buyers.