Ija'tz (pronounced: ee-hahts) represents a community organization of indigenous Maya Kaqchikel and Tz'utuhil families in Guatemala's Sololá department, cultivating coffee on the slopes surrounding Lake Atitlán. This volcanic crater lake—framed by mountains and three towering volcanoes—provides ideal growing conditions while the surrounding villages maintain deep-rooted Mayan cultural traditions. The cooperative comprises 35 smallholder farmers, each stewarding an average of 5-10 acres.
Since its founding in 1995, Ija'tz has pursued a mission of environmental stewardship and agricultural heritage. The cooperative's name translates to "seed" in Kaqchikel, the members' mother tongue—a deliberate choice symbolizing life, renewal, and continuity.
Through our partnership with De La Gente, a Guatemalan non-profit, Ija'tz has received technical support and infrastructure development since 2015, including new fermentation tanks and composting facilities. We've proudly offered their coffee since 2016, witnessing remarkable quality progression with each harvest.
