The Coffee Museum (Museo del Café de Chiapas) is a celebration of coffee cultivation in Mexico and throughout the world. Find exhibits that retrace the origins of the coffee bean and its growth in popularity. See examples of coffee-making machinery and sip a mug of expertly made brew in the museum courtyard. The Coffee Museum opened in 2009 and is housed in a heritage colonial-style building.
Your tour begins with an introduction into the history of coffee, where diagrams explain its worldwide journey and distribution throughout Chiapas. See photos of an estate established in the Soconusco region by the Italian coffee baron Jeronimo Minchinelli. Read an extract of a poem by the locally born poet Jaime Sabines, which references the joy of drinking coffee.
Find models depicting some of the traditional working methods, clothes and instruments of plantation workers. Understand the different cultivation systems of Mexico, both old and new. The biology, ecosystem and roots of the coffee bean are explained and a map shows the world’s top 10 coffee-producing countries. Further exhibits describe the transformation of the bean into a processed product, its supply and distribution.
Round out your visit in the museum’s café and courtyard. Admire the elegance of the museum building, commissioned in 1913 by a prominent doctor. Sample a cup of complimentary coffee made by the café’s talented barista. Enjoy events such as contemporary dance performances, dance classes and live music. You can also practice your coffee-making skills while attending a barista workshop.
The museum is located on the east side of the northern section of Plaza Civica. Limited parking is available on the street outside the museum. Major city attractions within comfortable walking distance include the Museo de la Ciudad and San Marcos Cathedral.
The Coffee Museum is open from Monday to Saturday and has an admission fee. Ask at the reception desk for a list of current events.
