Summary
- Coffee is an important part of the Mexican economy, with Mexico being the 9th largest coffee producer in the world.
- The coffee produced in Mexico is known for its high quality and unique flavor profiles, with distinctive and fruity profiles.
- Coffee is a popular and versatile drink that can be enjoyed in different ways, such as black, with milk, with cinnamon, with chocolate, with liquor, or with spices.
- Coffee is a symbol and identity of Mexico, as it reflects its tradition, diversity, and quality, as well as its passion, creativity, and resilience.
By M. Lavin
It was all thanks to Kaldi the shepherd, from Egypt. One day in 1440 he saw his goats become truly festive after eating the small fruits from a certain bush. The bush was later named “coffee tree.” The therapeutic properties of its fruit were praised. Asian countries went wild for the beverage which this small fruit produced, once it was dried and ground up.
The beverage soon arrived in Europe. There it was adopted with devotion. In the Seventeenth Century, the first coffee shop opened in London. Coffee shops soon became quite popular in most European cities, where the beverage used to accompany placid encounters and conversations.
Juan Antonio García later brought it from Cuba to Mexico, through the port of Veracruz. Finally, in the Nineteenth Century, it arrived in Chiapas by the hand of the Italian Geronimo Mancinelli, who planted it in the region known as Soconusco (in the southernmost part of the state which borders with Guatemala). There, for over a century, coffee growing has been the main economic activity.
Since then, Mexico has been an important coffee producer worldwide. Among the other Mexican coffee-growing states (Veracruz, Oaxaca, Puebla), it is still Chiapas that is the most important. The mountains and the altitude there are ideal for the growth of the coffee tree. There the fruits of the coffee tree are nurtured under the shade of the paterna and the chalum. Hard-toiling families who live in this hidden mountain land harvest it by hand.
In Chiapas, the tradition planted at the beginning of last century by the coffee chimera still endures. Immigrants from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United States, arrived and established themselves as owners of coffee plantations. Chinese, Jamaican, and Japanese immigrants came along as workers. Some great fortunes were made. Others suffered enormous misfortunes.
The interests surrounding coffee conspired to create prodigious dreams that are still evident in splendorous plantations; plantations sustained by hard work, and with a mysticism that present times do not easily allow.
Indigenous organizations or traditional plantations are currently in charge of part of the coffee production. Such is the Finca Irlanda (Ireland Plantation), which since the 1960s has grown a high-quality organic coffee that was pioneered here.
Coffee continues to be a completely handcrafted product, whose production summons many hands and sensibilities. Currently, The Coffee Route is being promoted in that region. For instance, a trip through the old Soconusco plantations (in what was once known as New Germany) allows visitors to see coffee plantations and landscapes, as well as coffee production processes while learning the history of the beverage.
Delights of Drinking Coffee
We Mexicans, now major coffee bean exporters, drink coffee our own way. Our custom involves spending the afternoon at the Café, or coffee shop. Immigrants to Mexico (especially the Spaniards) influenced the development of Mexico’s coffee-drinking customs.
The port of Veracruz offers one of the most notable examples of what it is to sit, drink and enjoy a cup of coffee. This port city offers wonderful opportunities to experience coffee with both the spirit and the palate.
The famous Café de la Parroquia -that was once in Los Portales (The Archways), in the port’s central square, and that today stands in the seafront walkway- allows one to enjoy the environment of a traditional seaport city while drinking a lechero, the place’s most typical coffee.
At certain times in the afternoon, and until the dawn breaks, the demand for a table here is such that sometimes people have to spend a long time standing, awaiting the moment in which one becomes available. In La Parroquia one sits down to drink coffee without a care in the world.
The custom here is to tap the milk glass with a metal spoon so that the waiter (who carries two enormous pots) comes to the table and pours from one of them the essence of coffee, and from the other the steaming milk, each according to the proportion required by the customer.
Drinking coffee is not only warming to the spirit with its aroma and taste, but it also involves pausing and looking around. Coffee is drunk slowly. You ask for more than one cup and converse, as the good habit of our mixed heritage dictates.
Coffee has a taste that is only sampled in this land. Here, brown sugar and cinnamon (and in some cases also an orange rind) are added to make the typical café de olla, which is served in clay pots. These little pots or jarritos are ideal for keeping the liquid hot, because of their narrow mouths and big bellies.
A jarrito can also be embraced by the hands to warm them. Perfect for cold nights or early mornings. The walls of old Mexican kitchens (especially those in Puebla) are covered with these little clay pots in which coffee is served.
It is a Mexican custom (especially in the countryside) to drink a sweetened coffee. For the peasant, it is a wake-up beverage that connects him to the sunrise. Often it is accompanied by a concha or an oreja (those traditional sugar bread that we Mexicans so enjoy) before going out to work the fields.
The beverage is manually prepared in a clay pot. Once the water boils, the ground coffee is added and left to sit before it is strained, preferably with a piece of cloth. At mid-morning, a plentiful and delicious brunch follows.
Drinking coffee is not only warming to the spirit with its aroma and taste, but it also involves pausing and looking around. Coffee is drunk slowly. You ask for more than one cup and converse, as the good habit of our mixed heritage dictates.
Coffee has a taste that is only sampled in this land. Here, brown sugar and cinnamon (and in some cases also an orange rind) are added to make the typical café de olla, which is served in clay pots. These little pots or jarritos are ideal for keeping the liquid hot, because of their narrow mouths and big bellies.
A jarrito can also be embraced by the hands to warm them. Perfect for cold nights or early mornings. The walls of old Mexican kitchens (especially those in Puebla) are covered with these little clay pots in which coffee is served.
It is a Mexican custom (especially in the countryside) to drink a sweetened coffee. For the peasant, it is a wake-up beverage that connects him to the sunrise. Often it is accompanied by a concha or an oreja (those traditional sugar bread that we Mexicans so enjoy) before going out to work the fields.
The beverage is manually prepared in a clay pot. Once the water boils, the ground coffee is added and left to sit before it is strained, preferably with a piece of cloth. At mid-morning, a plentiful and delicious brunch follows.
Drinking coffee -café de olla, coffee with milk or lechero, milk or water for coffee (as they say when all that’s available is instant coffee), or any of the various European coffee drinking modalities- is a very rooted tradition in Mexico. With each sip, coffee evokes the wild landscapes of the Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, or Puebla highlands. Here, every year the flower of the coffee tree sheds its whiteness to give way to its “cherry”, which will later give its red essence to the coffee bean, that incomparable accomplice of secrets and solitary contemplation.
Yes, drinking coffee is rubbing elbows with an old and pleasant history.
FAQ
- What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?
The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.
- Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?
Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.
- Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?
Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views.
The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot.
Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.
- What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?
Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area’s natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.
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