WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT HAITI?

When you think about Haiti, you might think of earthquakes and hurricanes and people working to put food on their tables. But there’s more to Haiti than its hardships! Behind its dire system is a beautiful Caribbean nation with a rich cultural depth and history. 

>> During the 18th century, Haiti was France's richest colony...which was largely because of the atrocities of slavery and the coffee and sugar the slaves grew. The land was massively deforested by the French, which has led to more destruction from natural disasters.

Image from World Atlas

>> Haiti is the most mountainous country in the Caribbean. Haiti’s mountain peaks reach over 8,000 feet and Haiti comes from the word Ayiti meaning ‘Land of Mountains' (given by the original inhabitants of the island, the Taino people).

>> Haiti has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the Caribbean. It's full of misty mountains, golden beaches and blue waters!

>> Haiti is the only country in the world that recognizes Voodoo as an official religion.

>> Creole became an official language in 1987 with the adoption of a new constitution. French is also spoken widely. 

>> Rice and beans are considered the national dish and are the most commonly eaten meal in urban areas. 

THE HISTORY OF COFFEE & CONFLICT IN HAITI

We went out on a limb a little with the label for our Haitian coffee. But it was for a good reason! 

People asked...So why a zombie French soldier on this Haitian coffee label? We want to spark your interest to learn more about Haiti’s very difficult relationship with coffee, and celebrate the incredible strength & resilience of the Haitian people. In 1804, Haiti, the world’s first Black republic and only country born of a successful slave revolution, won its independence from France.

But until the revolution began in 1791, Haiti actually produced 50% of the world’s coffee through the extreme exploitation and systematic violence of slavery. Simply put, we can’t fully appreciate the history of coffee without an appreciation and understanding of coffee’s origins in Haiti.

Photos from NY Times, read an incredible travel blog here!

How did Haiti go from producing 50% of the world's coffee to not much at all? David & Gaina Davila wrote an incredible history of Haitian coffee in Fresh Cup magazine, "HAITI: A STORY OF REVOLUTION & INSPIRATION AT ORIGIN" and here are a few excerpts...

"After the 13-year revolutionary war, Haiti’s military elites tried to revive coffee production and economic activity by managing the formerly enslaved through the use of coercive measures. The strategy failed and led many to flee to the mountains where they focused on small-scale farming. Other formerly enslaved Haitians burned coffee labor camps to the ground because they reminded them of their sadistic oppressors....Economic sanctions by the West also caused widespread abandonment of coffee farms on the island. 

Then in 1825, 21 years after independence, the French sent 14 warships to Port-au-Prince, the nation’s new capital, and threatened to attack. Instead of physically attacking, they coerced Haitian leaders into an economic agreement that would have lasting repercussions. For diplomatic recognition as a free nation, Haiti’s president agreed to pay France roughly $21 billion in today’s terms....It’s not uncommon to hear Haitians say that they paid for their independence twice—once with their blood and again with their money, which included heavy taxes on coffee exports. 

....Despite herculean challenges, Haiti’s rich coffee heritage has survived the ebb and brutal flow of economic sanctions and instability, foreign occupation, dictatorships, state-sanctioned monopolies, unfair trade practices, weak infrastructure, environmental degradation, and natural disasters." 

You gotta check out the full article if you're interested in more of this fascinating story!

Photos from Cafe Kreyol

The Savane Zombie (ie Zombie Desert) cooperative has only been operating for a few years, and has already earned a 92 point score from Coffee Review! That is the highest score to ever been given to a Haitian coffee. Through a model farm at the co-op, members and potential members are trained to maximize quality and quantity. This cooperative, being smaller in size, is able to produce 600 bags of coffee per year, and pay growers significant prices for their coffee cherries. The cooperative is paid roughly 300% higher wages than the Fair Trade minimum, not out of charity, but for having an exceptional product.

Mariane (picutred above) is one of the leaders of Savane Zombie cooperative and is extremely dedicated to the craft of growing, processing, and brewing coffee from seed to cup. She oversees fermentations, PH testing, and drying of the coffee and she also enjoys hosting guests, bringing bread and freshly roasted coffee for them to enjoy

EXPERIENCE FOOD FROM HAITI! 

Haitian Rice and Beans (Diri ak Pwa)

• 3 cups rice
• 1 cup dry beans (Pinto, red, or black beans)
• 8 cups water
• 3 tbs olive oil
• 1 tbs butter
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 3 cloves (1/4 tsp ground cloves)
• 3 cubes chicken bouillon
• 1 whole scotch bonnet pepper
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp thyme (2 sprigs)
• 1 cup Coconut Milk

Click here for the full instructions, along with the top 5 recipes every Haitian woman should apparently know.

And get your Haitian coffee here!