HONDURAS | DINORA BENITEZ - NATURAL

A Natural process Catuai from Dinora Benitez in Choacapa de Marcala, Honduras

This micro-lot was produced by Dinora Benitez, one of the newest members of

the Catracha producer group. Dinora’s coffee might be a new offering this

year, but she has been part of Catracha’s success for the past several

years. Dinora is an agronomist who has been providing technical assistance

and training to Catracha farmers for the last several years. In addition to

having a firsthand understanding about farm management, Dinora also has a

passion for planting new cultivars, experimenting with processing

innovations, and willingness to share his experience with the Catracha

producer group.

Processing details

This catuai cultivar was harvested from Finca Kairos, a 3.5-acre farm in the

community of Choacapa de Marcala. After harvesting, selected ripe cherries

were floated in water to remove damaged and underdeveloped fruit. The

cherries were then macerated for 24 hours in airtight bags. Next the cherries

were placed on raised beds to dry over a 14-day period.

Social impact

Mayra Orellana-Powell founded Catracha Coffee Company to connect her

coffee growing community with roasters. Ten years later, Catracha Coffee has

gained momentum with more than 80 producers and 20 roasters working

together on sustainable relationships and a profit-sharing model, which has

consistently paid at least $2.00 per pound directly to producers. This extra

income helps increase each producer’s capacity to reinvest in their farm, and

overtime, increase their standard of living.

The sale of Catracha Coffee also creates income for a non-profit called

Catracha Community (a 501(1)(c)(3) nonprofit), which invests in income

diversification opportunities without taking resources from a farmer’s

bottomline.

Catracha Community hosts workshops for women and youth to learn craft

making skills. Like coffee, the focus is on quality. With the help of talented

volunteers, the group has been able to make many beautiful things and sell

them through our network of coffee friends. They even have a name for the

group, Catracha Colectivo.

Catracha Community has also established an art residence and studio in Santa

Elena to host artists from Honduras and around the world. These artists have

been running art classes two days a week. Every week more than 30 children

come and learn art. Art is now popping up everywhere around Santa

Elena. There are more than 30 murals along the streets of Santa Elena, in

people’s homes, and at many schools.

Catracha Community also funds gardening projects throughout Santa Elena,

which includes a seed bank and support from an agronomist who provides

technical advice to families starting gardens.

Funds from Catracha Community also support a local tree nursery, which

produces 50,000 trees each year for Santa Elena’s communities and

individuals asking for trees. Funds are also used in coordination with

students at the agroforestry high school in Santa Elena to give technical

support for tree planting and follow- up cleaning and maintenance.