We were first introduced to farmers in Nariño in 2012 through the Borderlands project initiated by Catholic Relief Services. Before the project, most producers sold their coffee for minimal premiums to two exporters working on behalf of two large buyers. Through the project, producers banded together in associations to sell coffee to quality-focused buyers. In doing so, they created a new business model previously unseen in the region.
Back in 2012, it was coffee from farms in La Florida that attracted our attention when tasting different coffees from Nariño. The producers of these coffees went on to form the ASPROCAES association, which today counts 134 members. Counter Culture has purchased coffees from the association since 2012 and has funded multiple Seeds grants to establish plant nurseries and apiaries.
Urcunina is the name the Indigenous Quillasinga people call what is also known as the Galeras volcano, a prominent landmark in La Florida. Urcunina translates to "Montaña de Fuego'' or “fire mountain.” The farmers in ASPROCAES chose Urcunina as a brand for their coffee in order to distinguish it from other coffees in the region.
