Our Process:
From Mountain to Mug
Handpicked, sun-dried, and roasted to order — here’s how your coffee gets to you.
At EstéLoco, we believe that great coffee starts long before it’s brewed — it begins with who grows it, how it’s handled, and how freshly it reaches your cup. That’s why we don’t cut corners. Every step of our supply chain is rooted in transparency, craftsmanship, and care — not just for the product, but for the people behind it.
Grown in the Highlands of Oaxaca
Our flagship coffee — Pluma Hidalgo — comes from a small region nestled high in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains of southern Oaxaca, Mexico, at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,600 meters above sea level. The elevation, along with the mineral-rich volcanic soil and year-round subtropical climate, creates ideal growing conditions for premium Arabica coffee.
But what truly sets this region apart is the growing philosophy of the farmers we work with. Their practices are traditional, organic by nature, and in sync with the natural rhythms of the land:
Shade-grown coffee: Cultivated under a canopy of native trees, which enrich the soil and preserve biodiversity.
Lunar cycle planting: Sowing, pruning, and harvesting are aligned with lunar cycles to promote natural growth cycles.
No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides: Farmers use compost and natural pest control methods passed down through generations.
This isn’t industrial coffee — it’s old-world, slow-grown, mountain-harvested coffee, nurtured with patience and intention.
Washed, Sun-Dried & Ready for the Road
Once harvested, the coffee cherries are handpicked at peak ripeness and immediately taken for wet processing — also known as the washed method. This technique removes the outer pulp of the cherry and allows the bean’s true flavor profile to shine — cleaner, brighter, and more refined than natural-processed coffee.
After washing, the beans are sun-dried on raised beds, where they are regularly turned and sorted by hand to ensure even drying. This can take 7–14 days depending on weather conditions and requires constant attention. Once fully dried, the beans are stored in breathable bags and kept in cool, shaded storage, preserving freshness without introducing moisture or mold.
What remains are green beans — the raw, unroasted form of coffee — ready for transport.
Cross-Border Supply Chain
The dried, unroasted coffee is transported by land from Oaxaca to the southern U.S. border. Upon arrival, it’s received by a licensed customs clearing agent who handles immigration processing and compliance with U.S. import standards. The product is temporarily stored in their secure warehouse near the point of entry.
From there, the beans are transferred to our roasting facility in southern Texas, where they’re received by our master roaster, George Santos — a longtime partner and fulfillment specialist who ensures the final product lives up to the care that’s gone into every step before it.
Washed, Sun-Dried & Ready for the Road
Unlike large-scale operations that roast and stockpile inventory, we roast only when an order is placed. This is the difference between just buying coffee… and experiencing it.
George roasts every small batch with precision, using traditional drum-roasting methods to bring out the bean’s full complexity. Whether you select whole bean or pre-ground, each bag is filled immediately after roasting, sealed for freshness, and marked with the roast date — not some vague “best by” window.
Packaged Fresh & Shipped Directly
Once roasted, your coffee is packaged in EstéLoco-branded craft paper bags with one-way degassing valves to keep the beans fresh and aromatic. We offer both 8 oz and 12 oz sizes, as well as larger bulk options for clients or cafés.
Each package includes:
- The origin of the coffee
- The roast date
- The presentation (whole bean or pre-ground)
- Flavor notes and suggested brewing tips
Your order is then shipped directly from our Texas facility to your doorstep — no middlemen, no long shelf times.
Why It Matters
By keeping our supply chain short, transparent, and intentional, we protect what matters most: flavor, freshness, and integrity. This model allows us to support small growers, honest craftsmanship, and deliver a product that speaks for itself — from the mountain soils of Oaxaca to your morning ritual.
