The producers behind Tesoros de Zumba are locally known as “Charapanos”, a name drawn from a resilient species of ant and used to describe the determination of the people who farm these mountains. Many families have cultivated coffee here for three or four generations, preserving traditional varieties such as Typica and Bourbon alongside diverse agroforestry systems that include shade trees, fruit crops, and beekeeping. 

Coffee remains central to life in Zumba, supporting families across generations while shaping the region’s agricultural identity. Through ongoing refinement in fermentation, drying, and farm management, producers continue to build coffees that reflect both the biodiversity of Zamora Chinchipe and the longstanding traditions carried through the community.