Honduras - COMSA Organic Microlot
COMSA / APROCOMSA | Marcala, La Paz | Washed | Organic Microlot
From the mountains surrounding Marcala in La Paz, Honduras, this beautifully balanced organic microlot comes from COMSA - Café Orgánico Marcala S.A., a pioneering coffee cooperative with an inspiring story of sustainability, community and a determination to do things differently.
COMSA began in 2001 with just 61 coffee farmers. Faced with low coffee prices and increasing dependence on synthetic agricultural inputs, the group chose another path; embracing organic farming and working collectively to improve both the quality of their coffee and the livelihoods of the families producing it.
Today, COMSA has grown to more than 1,600 members, becoming one of Honduras’s most influential coffee cooperatives. At the heart of its approach is the wonderfully named “5 Ms” philosophy: Organic Matter, Microorganisms, Minerals, Fermented Molecules and Grey Matter - knowledge.
It’s a philosophy that goes far beyond simply avoiding synthetic inputs. COMSA works with its farmers to understand their soils, develop organic fertilisers and build healthier, more resilient farms, while investing in education and opportunities for the wider community.
Our coffee is a carefully selected organic microlot from within COMSA’s production, grown at elevations of 1,245–1,670 metres and bringing together Catimor, Catuaí, IHCAFE 90, Maragogype and Parainema varieties.
Careful processing begins with coffee cherries picked only when fully ripe. The cherries are placed into barrels with water for up to 48 hours, helping with further selection before being pulped without water, reducing water consumption and environmental impact.
The pulped coffee then rests for up to 12 hours before being carefully washed using a minimal amount of water and transferred to solar dryers. Here, the coffee is regularly turned as it slowly dries, with the entire drying process taking up to 21 days, depending on the weather.
The result is a wonderfully clean and balanced cup. Expect a comforting foundation of smooth chocolate, followed by a clean sugar-cane sweetness and a juicy pop of blueberry that adds a delicious fruit character to the finish.
Approachable enough to enjoy every day, yet with the provenance, care and individuality you’d expect from a carefully selected organic microlot.
Tasting Notes: Chocolate • Sugar Cane • Blueberry
Origin: Honduras
Region: Marcala, La Paz
Producer: COMSA / APROCOMSA
Lot: Microlot
Varieties: Catimor • Catuaí • IHCAFE 90 • Maragogype • Parainema
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1,245–1,670 MASL
Harvest: December–April
Grade: SHG • EP8 • 15+
Certification: Organic
Recommended Brew Methods
Espresso ★★★★★
A fantastic everyday espresso with a little extra personality. Chocolate and sugar-cane sweetness create a smooth, rounded foundation, while blueberry adds a juicy fruit character to the finish.
Flat White / Latte / Cappuccino ★★★★★
The chocolate character works beautifully through milk, creating a naturally sweet and comforting cup with a subtle berry note underneath.
AeroPress ★★★★★
An excellent match for COMSA, bringing together its sweetness, body and blueberry character in a wonderfully rounded and expressive brew.
V60 / Pour Over ★★★★☆
A paper-filtered brew brings greater clarity to the cup, allowing the blueberry and clean sugar-cane sweetness to come further forward.
Cafetière ★★★★☆
A fuller-bodied option that emphasises the chocolate and sweetness, making this a particularly satisfying everyday brew.
Our pick: Espresso
For a beautifully balanced cup combining smooth chocolate, clean sugar-cane sweetness and a juicy hint of blueberry.
- All of our coffees are 100% Specialty Grade
- We roast to order so you can guarantee the freshest possible coffee
- All of our coffees are ethically sourced
We always recommend buying whole bean coffee as this is the best for freshness. We are however happy to grind our coffee to your specification if this is how you would prefer it. Please note, we only supply ground coffee in 227g and 500g bags.
As a small independent roastery, we occasionally adjust prices to reflect rising costs and to continue roasting responsibly. Existing subscriptions are unaffected.