Honduras Juan Benitez

Farmlevel Story

Juan Benitez grew up in the South of Honduras before moving to the Santa Barbara region in 1980. He often traded work in exchange for housing until purchasing his own land in 1984. Fourteen years later, in 1998, he and his family began farming coffee.

Today, Juan Benitez owns six “manzanas” of land—about 10.32 acres—where he grows Typica, Bourbon, Pacas and Catimor varieties. Despite his farm’s growth and diversification, Juan’s unique aura and humor remain unchanged, transcending any language barrier. During a recent visit to his farm, we asked Juan about his goals for the year. With a smile, he shared that, despite the challenges of the harvest season, his primary goal was to find a new cowboy hat.

If you’re ever searching for Juan Benitez in the field, just listen for the sound of his singing and look for his signature cowboy hat. A devoted family man, Juan cherishes spending time with his six beloved grandchildren, one of whom is often trailing behind him as he strolls between rows of coffee trees.

This Pacas offering beautifully reflects the fertile Santa Barbara provenance and Juan Benitez’s remarkable work ethic and wonderful personality. It’s a shining example of his dedication and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.