Coffee and a Chat with Monserrat Hernández, Coope Dota
04 April 2025
This month, we sit down with Monserrat Hernández, Assistant Manager at Coope Dota, a cooperative we’ve proudly partnered with since 2006. Nearly two decades into our relationship, we’re thrilled to finally spotlight Monse and learn more about her journey, the vital role she plays within the cooperative, and the innovative work happening at origin.
Coope Dota made history as the first carbon-neutral coffee cooperative in the world back in 2011, and they’ve continued to lead with purpose ever since. Monse shared insights into these sustainability efforts at Full Circle 2023, and in this Coffee and a Chat, she gives us a closer look at the people, projects, and passion driving Coope Dota forward.
Tell us about your journey in coffee. As a second-generation producer, tell us more on how you got involved with Coope Dota?
Coffee has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. To me, coffee represents love, passion, and family heritage, a legacy built through generations, which I deeply treasure and will continue.
As a fourth-generation coffee producer, this beautiful craft gave me the opportunity to study and grow professionally within the industry. My professional journey in coffee began in 2010, and thanks to my roots, I returned to my region in 2017 with the opportunity to work at Coopedota R.L.
I am proud to represent the 1,160 coffee-growing families that make up the cooperative today. Our producing region, which includes the cantons of Dota, Tarrazú, and León Cortés, are blessed with ideal conditions for producing high-quality coffee. Since 1960, Coopedota has been a key pillar for our people, our communities, and the sustainability of our producers.
At Coopedota, we believe that “together is better.” We can go further and grow stronger when we work together. Behind our coffee and cooperative are amazing people working toward a shared purpose.
Coope Dota has been carbon neutral since 2011 and is well known for its sustainability initiatives. What key steps has the cooperative taken to ensure long-term environmental responsibility?
Quality, sustainability, and innovation are part of Coopedota’s DNA. Everything we do and are fundamentally about is in response to these three pillars, always putting people and our members at the center of everything.
Since achieving Carbon Neutral certification in 2011, Coopedota has been a pioneer in sustainability across the coffee value chain. One of our new goals, beginning January 2024 with the launch of ProjectONE, is to begin the journey toward becoming Carbon Positive in the coming years. We’re working to achieve this by implementing new technologies throughout the production and processing stages of coffee, both at the cooperative and among our member producers.
Encouraging young coffee growers is crucial for the future of coffee. How does Coope Dota support and engage the next generation of producers?
For me, the heritage and tradition of coffee production was forged during my upbringing at home. Coffee is my family business, and even though my siblings and I studied different fields, thanks to our parents, we are all proud coffee producers here in the Tarrazú region.
The key lies in our homes. Today, it’s our duty to pass on this love and sense of ownership and sow that love and sense of belonging in the world of coffee to the next generation, my son, nieces, and nephews. We must do this in our lifetime and as soon as possible for our sons and daughters.
At Coopedota, we’re encouraging our members to involve their children, not only in coffee production but also in the cooperative. With a land lease from their parents, they can become members with just one fanega. This enables them to take part in training, regional meetings, and the General Assembly, and learn about the family business, our coffee farms.
Whether or not they choose to be full-time coffee producers, we want them to understand how to manage their farms and generate extra income so they don’t feel the need to sell the land they’ve inherited, which has been blessed for coffee production.
In 2022, we had 855 members: 297 of whom were women, and 148 were young people aged 18 to 35. Today, we have 1,160 members, including 339 women and 211 young people.
Can you tell us about the ‘Micro Dota Mujer‘ coffee line? How has it helped support and empower women within Coope Dota?
The Coopedota Mujer project launched in late 2022, following an analysis of our membership and recognising the growing involvement of women in leadership roles.
We officially introduced Coopedota Mujer and the Microdota Mujer coffee on 8th March 2023, International Women’s Day. This honey-processed microlot, produced exclusively by women, is available to our national and international customers. This coffee represents for us, a rebirth of women in coffee, a way to tell our story to the world.
The quality of our coffee has always been there and women have always been a part of that. This project inspired many to become members of Coopedota and take on more active roles. We now aim to continue creating impactful initiatives to empower more women and involve younger generations of women in coffee production.
As a leader yourself, what advice would you give to other women looking to take on leadership roles in the coffee industry?
I’ve loved seeing that over the past three years, there’s been more women in the governing bodies of the coop, more female cuppers, baristas, decision makes in purchasing, more femail exporters, and more female leaders across various coffee institutions. I have felt more supported in being surrounded by women.
Women in coffee face many of the same challenges. It’s still a very traditional, trust-based industry where we are the minority. Earning respect and trust takes time and effort and is a step by step process, earned through hard work and connecting with people.
Wherever I go, I look for my women in coffee. We share experiences, advice, and challenges and feel more supported. My advice to women seeking leadership in coffee: seek out the sisterhood. There are women in the industry who will genuinely open doors, share their knowledge, and welcome you into this beautiful world.
And to women already in leadership: we have a greater responsibility. We must create opportunities for others, and make the path easier, no matter how hard it was for us to get here.
We work shoulder to shoulder with great men in this industry and I believe it’s that balance and collaboration that strengthens us all and enriches this industry!
Looking ahead, what does the future hold for Coope Dota? Are there any new projects or changes on the horizon?
I see a bright and prosperous future for Coopedota. We are a global leader in coffee, and this leads us to constantly challenge ourselves as an organisation to remain at the forefront and continue innovating year after year.
Right now, we’re focused on three key projects: Coopedota Mujer, Coopedota Jóvenes, and ProjectONE.
ProjectONE is our newest initiative launched in January 2024 in partnership with the Advanced Centre for Applied Research (CAIA). It combines AI and science to drive carbon-positive coffee farming in Costa Rica.
Through FERTIDOTA, a local 5th-generation organic fertiliser made from coffee pulp and honey water, and the planting of Árboles de Vida (“trees of life”), we’re cleaning the air, reducing emissions, and restoring the soil. In this way, we are returning to the coffee farms some of the elements we take from them.
Precision agriculture (in coffee) is a reality here at Coopedota that we have made available to the members. By measuring soil moisture, light intensity, and the elements in the air (CO, CO2, methane, LPG, alcohol), we can offer custom solutions and obtain the information for each producer within 48 hours.
Today’s global markets are increasingly demanding a reduction in chemicals in coffee, and one way to continue on this decarbonisation path is to develop solutions to combat climate change. COOPEDOTA currently holds Carbon Neutral Certification, meaning it offsets its emissions. However, with “Carbon Positive,” we focus on reducing CO2, counteracting its carbon footprint, and leveraging renewable energy.
There’s talk of sustainability, regenerative agriculture, precision agriculture, and the circular economy, but today the proposal is to take action and put each of these concepts into practice. This is the cooperative’s commitment, which goes beyond producing one of the best coffees in the world, because its focus is on the commitment and well-being of its members, their families, and our region.
Coope Dota’s marketing and storytelling have helped share its impact and open doors. How has this approach strengthened your relationships with customers and partners?
The key to Coopedota’s success and sustainability has been our international partners and customers with fair relationships, many of whom we’ve worked with for decades.
Our longest-standing relationship is over 60 years, with others spanning 35 and 20 years. And to the newest members of the Coopedota family, we always aim for long-term, transparent partnerships.
DRWakefield is one of the stars in our history, and today they are not only our partners but also our friends in coffee, who year after year, provide sustainability to our associates through coffee. Every year, they help support our producers by sharing our coffee in the UK & European market and amplifying the story and importance of Coopedota in Costa Rica and beyond.
In 2018, we began a process of rebranding and refreshing our business and communication, investing in a refresh of our image, our businesses, and our products.
If someone had one day in the Tarrazú region, how would you recommend they spend it? Any must-visit spots or experiences?
The Tarrazú coffee region includes the cantons of Dota, Tarrazú, and León Cortés. It’s the only region in Costa Rica where the economy and culture revolve entirely around coffee – which runs through our viens. We produce more than 40% of Costa Rica’s coffee.
We’re surrounded by coffee-covered mountains and forests, making this region a place of tranquility and deeply rooted in a love for the land.
We love having you visit and we like to think we are great hosts! Along with coffee, we grow high-altitude fruits, produce wine, and have a rich culinary culture centred around family.
Café de Coopedota is the first stop for many of our visitors, right at the entrance to our region and in the heart of our mill and Santa María de Dota.
We have excellent mountain eco-lodges, traditional experiences, local cuisine, and a unique cultural offering. It’s a place that connects you and makes you want to live in this region.
Where did you grow up, and where do you live now? How has the region shaped your connection to coffee?
I was born and raised in San Marcos de Tarrazú. At 17, I moved to San José to study and lived there for 10 years as I pursued building my career. In 2017, I returned to the region with my husband (also from Tarrazú), and today we live in Santa María de Dota with our son Elías. We’re happy to be home, sharing our coffee heritage and love for the land with with our son.
Are you reading, listening to, or watching anything interesting at the moment?
At this moment, I’m focused on health, both physical and mental so I’m reading and applying practices. Without health, we have nothing. I’m working on being well for myself, for my family, and for my work.
How do you take your coffee? And what is your favourite coffee varietal and processing method?
My day starts at home preparing a coffee with my husband and our 4-year-old son: a washed Geisha, brewed in a French Press.
At La Café de La Coope, my second cup is a Microdota Mujer, honey process, brewed in a Chemex by our professional baristas.
These are my two favourites! Aalong with a double espresso after lunch at the café.
Later in the day, I might enjoy a macchiato or double espresso cappuccino.
posted 04 April 2025by Hriday Gupta
Hriday works as the Marketing Manager for DRWakefield and has been with the business since 2022. His interests include coffee, photography and astronomy.
