About us
I am Ann-Kathrin, owner of Caraya Coffee, and this is the story of Bolivian specialty coffee.
Bolivia. I lived and worked there for 2 years - and fell in love. I spent 2 years of my life there without realizing that coffee was grown there that could compete with any major origin.
In the meantime, I live and work in Berlin.
It wasn't until I returned to Bolivia during a trip for a few weeks in December 2021 that I first realized how complex and high quality Bolivian coffee can be. And wondered why we find it so rarely here in Germany - even among specialty roasters, the origin Bolivia is still unknown to exotic. And so it all began....
... I took a roasting course in Berlin, completed the "Coffee Sensory Master" in Hannover, and am now also certified by the IHK as a coffee expert.
However, the most experience can be gained in practice. That's why I'm very excited to soon be roasting together with other specialty roasters at "Communal Coffee" in Neukölln, a community roastery that not only provides space and equipment, but also thrives on exchange and learning.
It is not only my story, but that of many coffee producers.
It is the mission and the claim of Caraya Coffee to cultivate a fair trade at eye level with the coffee producers in the origin. We want to report about this as transparently as possible. Jeremias, Elias, Nelly, Marco and many others are also part of this story and they play an especially important role because they grow the coffee. You can find out who they are and how their coffee comes to us in Germany by following us on social media, reading the blog articles, or signing up for our newsletter.
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What does Caraya mean?
Carayá means howler monkey in Guaraní.
Well, actually Carayá with accent on the last vowel. But we don't want to make it too difficult for you.
Why did we choose a howler monkey to name a coffee company? Because this little animal is pretty loud. Its roar can sometimes be heard for miles around and is more like the sound of a lion or other predator. As a coffee roaster and direct importer of coffee, we also want to be loud. For a more transparent and fairer coffee trade. Even if we are only a small player, we are convinced: together with you we can rethink coffee and enjoy it with a clear conscience. This is how we create high quality for you - and fair working conditions for our coffee producers.
Okay, got it. But what is Guaraní?
Guaraní is one of the 36 indigenous languages recognized by the Bolivian Constitution, originating from the Guaraní culture. It is one of the most widely spoken indigenous languages in Bolivia, along with Aymara and Quechua. It is not necessarily linked to the languages typically spoken in the coffee region, but Ann-Kathrin personally lived in a Guaraní region in Bolivia for 2 years, so it is her personal touch she gives to the brand.