Exploring High-Altitude Coffee in Jalisco: A Sensory Journey

The stimulating aroma of freshly ground coffee, the steaming cup held in your hands, and the deep flavor that awakens your senses—coffee is more than a beverage; it is an experience. Near Puerto Vallarta, in the highlands of Jalisco, where the clouds intertwine with the coffee plants, a magic is cultivated that captivates even the most demanding palates.

The Sierra Madre Occidental: Birthplace of Jalisco’s High-Altitude Coffee

The part of the Sierra Madre Occidental that stretches between the municipalities of Talpa de Allende and San Sebastián del Oeste is home to a high-altitude coffee-growing area. At more than 1,800 meters above sea level, the coffee beans develop slowly, absorbing the nuances of the soil and climate.

Since the 17th century, when San Sebastián del Oeste flourished as a commercial center due to its gold and silver mines, nature wove its history. The pollination of the fields led to the organic birth of the coffee bean, while other crops such as agave, cocoa, and vanilla added to the land’s diversity.

Hacienda Don Lalín
The Hacienda Don Lalín, located in La Estancia de Landeros, a village near San Sebastián del Oeste, was born with a clear purpose: to offer a unique palate experience through organic and agroecological cultivation. Their product catalog is a symphony of flavors:

• Café Americano: Sweet and comforting.
• Café de Olla: With spicy and aromatic notes.
• Fulgor: A dance of wood, vanilla, banana, and chocolate.
• House Blend: Rich and creamy.
• Kafetsin: Sweet, with hints of brown sugar, vanilla, and cocoa.

Additionally, they offer a tour called “Amanecer del Café” (Dawn of Coffee), allowing visitors to explore the agave fields, nearby mountains, and coffee plantations while learning about the coffee-making process.

Don Balbino
In the community of San Rafael, within the municipality of Talpa de Allende, you will find Don Balbino. This company pays homage to over 60 years of passion and dedication by engineer Balbino Ramírez to Mexican coffee cultivation. Here, high-quality beans are meticulously harvested and processed by hand. The result is a balanced and natural coffee with notes of chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla, and maple honey. Among their products are:

• Specialty Coffee: For connoisseurs.
• Gourmet Coffee: Cultivated between 900 and 1,600 meters above sea level, designed for discerning palates.
• Traditional Coffee: Medium roast with caramel and floral notes.
• Cold Brew: Strong, full-bodied, and rich in nuances.

The high-quality grades harvested here are the result of farmers’ meticulous care at every stage, from planting to roasting, to achieve a well-balanced and natural coffee.

Enjoy!