High in the Sangre Cristo Mountains in Northern New Mexico lies a unique business for coffee lovers.
Raymond Jaramillo created Blacklake Roasters in 2009 in Angel Fire after leaving the New Mexico Piñon Coffee Company where the master roaster had learned the art of coffee roasting, the process of using heat to turn green coffee beans to dark beans for consumption.
His brother, Daniel Jaramillo, a Marine veteran, joined him in the business a few years later after earning degrees in business management, marketing, and golf management.
Blacklake Roasters has been a long-time client of The Loan Fund. Much of the machinery, including a 15-kilo roaster imported from Turkey that took 120 days to arrive in the U.S. and then shipped to New Mexico on a freight carrier, was financed by The Loan Fund.
The pair chooses to remain in the area known as the Enchanted Circle, 110-mile region encompassing the towns of Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Questa, Red River and Taos, to stay close to their roots. Their family homestead ranch has been in the Moreno Valley since 1885. The high altitude and low humidity also contribute to fresher and more flavorful beans, which are imported from Colombia and Brazil through a Houston-based company.
“We roast and package at 8,500 feet – it’s not common. It makes it more difficult because of the location,” said Daniel, adding that they receive shipments of about 15,000 pounds at a time, and it can take anywhere from 90 to 120 days to receive the beans.
Though they have six employees, it’s usually Raymond who roasts and packages under the label, a name taken from the nearby Black Lake. The beans, which are priced at a higher than average cost, are sold at Lowe’s grocery stores throughout New Mexico and adjacent states. The company is also working to distribute through the Affiliated Foods wholesale grocery cooperative.
Daniel, who is also a realtor, homebuilder and owner of the Prestige Construction company, said The Loan Fund has been the most integral part of both businesses’ success.
“We could have gone out to a private lender but the relationship I have with The Loan Fund is second to none. I don’t think I would be where I am now if it weren’t for The Loan Fund,” he said.
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