Dota

Coope Dota is a beacon of progressiveness and initiative when it comes to agricultural practice, and responsibility to the community. The coop was established in October 1960 by a group of 96 producers, that has grown to represent over 900 producers today. Under the guidance of Monserrat Hernández, the coop has a seemingly relentless drive to innovate and improve in all areas.

Coope Dota was the first coffee processor in the world to be certified carbon neutral back in 2011. This was the culmination of numerous initiatives, including decreasing water consumption and eliminating water discharge into the local rivers, using coffee parchment as opposed to firewood to fuel their dryers, implementing an energy management system that has resulted in a 40% decrease in electricity consumption since 2004, and introducing mandatory recycling. More recently, they have converted a tractor to remove pollutants from the air, and covert them into fertiliser, another step in their drive to become carbon positive.

The coop is also Rainforest Alliance certified, in recognition of its efforts to protect biodiversity, deliver financial benefits to its members, and foster a culture of respect between its members and the local community.

This spirit was evident during Tom’s first visit back in 2020. The town is stunningly situated right in the centre of the surrounding valley, and the coop is the beating heart of the community. The mill itself was immaculate, and included a beautiful coffee shop with highly trained baristas who were able to showcase the coffees grown there in their very best light.

Perhaps surprisingly, this is a real rarity in coffee producing regions, but it is invaluable in terms of allowing the farmers and the community to take pride in the product of all their hard work, to understand how it is consumed around the world, and how they might improve it further.

We’re proud to showcase this delicious coffee from such an inspiring group of producers.