Profile: Baja Beans Roasting Co., Mexico

One of my coaches and mentors recently returned from a trip to Mexico with his family.  When he returned, all tanned and disgusting for us rainy Portlanders to look at, he told me about a coffee stop he had made across the way.  The roaster's name was Baja Beans Roasting Company, located in Pescadero, Baha.He told me a few things about them that intrigued me right away, and were familiar with other roasters I've met in my travels.  First, that all of the coffee they sold was locally grown, so I could only imagine from direct relationships with farmers of choice, and at a price that supports the community.  Second, that they organized local fun events, and that their very location was a form of community center.  And last, that they were Canadians which means they're good people (yes, I am Canadian :)).I had to learn more.[ad#Google Adsense - use me]I could tell the latter was true simply by visiting their website and seeing the upcoming community Ping Pong tournament that they were organizing.  When I contacted them directly to learn more, owner Alec Tidey was all too happy to share of their cause and story with me.Traveling from Vancouver, Canada to Pescadero, Mexico, they were helped by Vancouver's Cowboy Coffee in establishing a roastery in Mexico.  Their mission was simple: feature the best coffees of each of the premier growing regions of Mexico.  They learned Spanish, practiced the coffee craft until perfect, and got to work.Their first tour of a farm was in the hills of the Sierra Norte, and involved two days of touring the plantation and processing plants.  They were drawn by the family structure of the farm and environmentally sustainable practices, far in excess of the standards required by the seal on their coffee.  This is the same Arabica coffee that Baja Beans serves today.  Expertly roasted and brewed.  Supporting the local community.  Emphasis on quality.As far as social events, they have enough "stage space" for bands to perform for tourists and locals while enjoying great coffee.  I hope to see it for myself one day.  With beans grown locally and roasted professionally on-site, they travel a very short distance before they end up in your cup, and that kind of freshness is going to make for an amazing cup of coffee."Let's make a toast to the roast." - Ben and the Men (house band)Learn more about Baja Beans.  Or, visit this short promotional video.