San Agustín Loxicha: A Remote Coffee Paradise in Oaxaca

Geographic Setting

San Agustín Loxicha is a lush, densely forested community nestled in the Sierra Sur region of Oaxaca within the district of Pochutla. Coffee grows on steep slopes under a thick canopy of native shade trees, facing the Pacific Ocean to the south. This unique positioning creates distinct rainy and dry seasons complemented by cooling Pacific breezes that help shape the coffee's exceptional character.

The Journey to Origin

Reaching San Agustín Loxicha from Oaxaca requires approximately five hours via a well-maintained road, but the real challenge begins upon arrival. Unlike many coffee-producing regions where farmers live on their farms, Loxicha's producers typically reside in the central town, with their farms accessible only by a grueling 2-3 hour journey on foot or by mule. During harvest season, producing families relocate to temporary housing on their farms, then must transport their coffee back to the collection center in Loxicha through multiple trips by mule or on foot.

Cultural Heritage and Community

The indigenous Zapotec traditions and languages flourish throughout Loxicha, including Zapotec, Mixteco, and Mixe dialects that remain very much alive in daily life. A cornerstone of the community is the practice of Tequio, a word from the Nahuatl language meaning "work" or "tribute." This traditional system of communal workshare becomes essential during harvest and off-season farm renovations, demonstrating the deep collaborative spirit that defines this region.

Coffee Varieties and Generational Transition

Many farmers in this group cultivate younger coffee trees planted within the last five years while maintaining the tradition of growing almost exclusively Pluma variety, a local mutation of Typica that has thrived here for over 80 years. This heritage variety has perfectly adapted to the local conditions, soil, and climate, consistently producing spectacular cup quality. Encouragingly, many farmers are under 30 years old, suggesting a bright future for coffee cultivation in the region, though some young people continue migrating to urban centers seeking broader opportunities.

Biodiversity and Farming Practices

Loxicha demonstrates remarkable plant diversity compared to other coffee-growing regions. Local producers utilize native trees such as Cuachepil, Cuil, and avocado to provide shade for their coffee plants. These trees offer multiple benefits beyond shade, including food, ornamentation, medicine, construction materials, and water collection. The Cuil tree, for example, produces leaf litter that enriches the soil as a natural fertilizer. Farmers maintain careful spacing with two meters between rows and 1.5 meters between individual seedlings, placing separator plants between each row to maintain proper distance and organization throughout their plots.