I stopped by Katz Coffee at 1003 W. 34th Street the other day to pick up my usual two pounds of fresh-roasted organic Guatemalan beans. While I was waiting, somebody put a cup of Mexican Majomut coffee in my hand—the flavor was tart and citrusy with base notes of roasty chocolate and cinnamon flavors. It was so sweet, I didn't bother with milk or sugar. I immediately changed my order to Majomut.

If you'd like to try some, Katz will be selling Majomut coffee at their office on 34th Street for the next couple of weeks. You will probably also see Majomut offered as a special at a few upscale restaurants around town. But the total production of this tiny region is so small, the supply will be intermittent.

Union Majomut is a co-op of Chiapas coffee producers formed in 1983 with the idea of using coffee profits to improve the lives of the community. The coffee, which comes from 1,700 individual producers, is grown organically. In 1992, it was certified by Fair Trade labeling authorities. The Majomut co-op has funded programs promoting food safety, health care, and chicken farming in the villages it serves. It also employs agricultural scientists to help members improve coffee production and quality and runs a micro-credit program to help finance small businesses.