Currently Roasting

Farming is never static—and neither are the partnerships we maintain. Whether the season has affected a farmer's harvest or he landed a contract with other buyers, the farmers we work with can change from year to year, and sometimes even within the same harvest season. Our supply chain flexibility allows us to support a broader group of growers while ensuring that we always offer you the best coffee Ecuador has to offer. Currently, we are proud to source the majority of our beans from William Martillo in Manabi and Napoleon Elizalde in Puyango—two extraordinary farmers whose commitment to quality and sustainable farming practices aligns perfectly with our values. William and Napoleon represent the future of Ecuadorian coffee: independent, entrepreneurial, and deeply connected to their land.

William Martillo

At a conference Arturo and Shane attended at the plantation of Juan Carlos Acevedo in northeast Ecuador in January of 2020, they met some representatives from the region of Manabi. The representatives brought some coffee grown in the region for others to taste, and of course - it was delicious! So, like that Arturo formed a new objective - meet a coffee farmer from Manabi that would be interested in becoming part of the Z Beans family! Two weeks later, a sample from the plantation of William Martillo made its way to Zaruma - to Arturo’s home. After some analysis and tasting, it was clear - we found a new partner! 

  • Location

    Portoviejo, Manabi, Ecuador

  • Altitude

    1,000ft. above sea level

  • Process

    Honey, Washed, & Natural Processes

  • Flavor

    Citrus, Floral, Dark Chocolate

  • Other Crops

    Oranges, Bananas, Cacao

Napoleon Elizalde

Returning from a visit to the Loja region of Ecuador, Arturo, Carter, Fabricio, and Shane were driving a rental truck through the steep mountains. As they were passing through a small town, called Ciano in Puyango, Loja, Ecuador, the truck overheated, forcing them to stop. As they got out of the truck to ask the townsfolk for water to fill the radiator, Arturo, as he always does, took it as an opportunity to meet coffee farmers. While Napoleon Elizalde was not available at the time, the townsfolk gave Arturo his phone number. Two weeks later, Napoleon visits the Processing Facility in Piñas where the Z Beans team had the opportunity to analyze his product. After a few seconds of inspection, Arturo made the call. Napoleon needed to be a part of our team!

  • Location

    Ciano, Puyango, Loja, Ecuador

  • Altitude

    6,200ft. above sea level

  • Process

    Washed & Natural Processes

  • Flavor

    Floral, Dark Chocolate

  • Other Crops

    Bananas, Oranges, Exotic Plants

At Z Beans Coffee, transparency isn't just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of everything we do. From the moment a coffee cherry is picked in the highlands of Ecuador to the time it’s brewed in your cup, we document and communicate each step. Our direct trade model eliminates middlemen, ensuring that our farmer partners receive premium prices—well above Fair Trade standards. According to Fairtrade International, traditional minimums often fall short of covering true production costs. That’s why we’ve set our baseline pricing between $2.60 and $3.00 per pound, ensuring farmers are paid fairly for their craftsmanship.

We prioritize full supply chain traceability—from the farm to your front door. Every batch of Z Beans Coffee is roasted in Macon, Georgia, but its story begins on farms in Loja, Manabí, and Imbabura. By working directly with producers, we’re able to provide origin information, processing methods (Washed, Natural, Honey), and harvesting timelines with complete accuracy. As noted by Daily Coffee News, consumers are increasingly demanding visibility into where and how their coffee is sourced—and we proudly meet that expectation.

Transparent trade is about equity, sustainability, and connection. We publish our pricing, maintain open lines of communication with our partners, and continuously look for ways to reduce waste and improve environmental practices. From compostable packaging to farmer training programs, we go beyond the bean to create meaningful impact. Our model aligns with broader calls in the industry for honest, verifiable sourcing, as emphasized by The Specialty Coffee Association. With Z Beans, what you see is truly what you get: a coffee company rooted in honesty, built on relationships, and committed to lasting change.