Honduras Pacas - Washed Raspberry, sweet citrus, floral The Benitez family’s coffee journey began in the 1980s, when Juan and his brother settled in El Ocotillo, a village in Santa Bárbara near the Montaña Santa Bárbara National Park, overlooking Lake Yojoa. Drawn by the region’s high altitude and cooler climate, they initially focused on growing vegetables. Due to limited agricultural support and low market prices, vegetable farming proved unsustainable. In the 1990s, the brothers decided to transition to coffee, at first aiming simply for economic stability. For several years, progress was slow, and making a living from farming remained a challenge. A major turning point came in 2006, when they connected with San Vicente Mill and received technical support. That same year, they entered and won first place in the Cup of Excellence, transforming both their outlook and their future in coffee. The following year, Juan began focusing seriously on specialty coffee. Since then, he has worked on improving wet mill infrastructure, refining washed processing methods, and developing better drying techniques. Today, the Benitez family is recognised for producing high-quality coffees, including their Pacas lot, built on persistence, learning, and a long-term commitment to quality.