Colombia La Mina

Henry Martinez often says, “Coffee is a blessing for all of us.” Like most specialty coffee growers, for Henry, coffee is a way of life. From his humble beginnings to owning La Mina, Henry’s journey has been built on resilience. Despite the challenges faced by the coffee industry, including constant fluctuating and low coffee prices with rising production costs, Henry has remained committed to the craft and has squarely invested his time and resources into producing exceptional specialty coffee.

After marrying his wife Ricardina, Henry took over La Mina from his father and, through hard work and smart financial management, paid off the farm within two years. While his early years saw success with Caturra varietals, he soon faced the harsh reality of coffee leaf rust's impact on the crop. Undeterred, Henry pivoted to planting Castillo varietals, which are more resistant to disease and better suited to producing high-quality, specialty coffee.

Henry believes that by delivering exceptional quality year after year, he can reduce the volatility of coffee prices and focus on his passion for the craft, knowing that his hard work will be valued by those who appreciate the dedication it takes to produce great coffee.