Dancing Jaguar Coffee in Kiowa offers a unique approach to coffee, combining passion, tradition and a commitment to quality. Run by Erika Duke Hulm and her husband Joe Hulm, both passionate coffee lovers, the establishment has become a local gem.

Their business model is as unique as their coffee. Instead of a traditional coffee shop, they operate a food truck and serve fresh coffee by the cup at Forty Mile Feed on Highway 86 on the western edge of Kiowa Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers can also purchase bags of roasted coffee beans or even green beans to roast themselves at home.

“We have some people here who like to roast their own beans. And when they pick up their bags of green beans, they talk to my husband about the roasting process,” Erika said. “It’s a passion and it’s so much fun to share it with others.”

All beans used in her roasts are specially sorted and come from Erika’s family farm in Honduras, where organic farming methods are used without pesticides, chemicals or artificial flavors.

“We want to create a family atmosphere here,” says Erika. “When my husband roasts, we invite people to watch their beans being roasted. It’s a complete experience, from farm to cup.”

“We don’t just sell coffee; we share experiences and educate people about the cultivation and roasting processes,” says Erika, who has found the local community’s support and interest in the business to be incredibly strong. “We live in an area that is still very agricultural and that is appreciated. The community has been very supportive. We are very grateful to them and it feels like a big family.”

Erika and Joe are involved in their community, both locally in Kiowa and on the coffee farm in Honduras. In Elbert County, they support fundraisers for the local 4-H club, building close connections with residents. “If I set a goal to just sell coffee,” says Erika, “I miss out on so many conversations, so many connections. I never want to be so busy that I’m not able to really connect with people.”

The Hulms value fair trade practices and know the quality of their beans intimately. “I know the farm is a good place to work because I grew up there. I know who picked the beans – my father. And I know who roasted the beans – my husband,” Erika said proudly. Most of the people who work on their Honduran farm are women, who are encouraged and empowered to learn all aspects of the coffee process, including quality control, which is carefully done by hand.

Dancing Jaguar’s most popular roast, Camp Fire, is a medium roast with hints of brown sugar that has become a local favorite. “Our roasting process works with the natural sugars of the coffee beans,” Erika explained. “It won’t taste like a cup of Folgers.” As their business grows, there are plans to offer group tastings where people have the opportunity to explore different flavors and even roast their own beans to take home. When plans are finalized, details will be posted on Dancing Jaguar’s Facebook page at facebook.com/dancingjaguar and Instagram page at instagram.com/dancingjaguarcoffee.

“We’re still small at the moment, but our dream is to eventually have our own facility where everyone can enjoy the full experience,” says Erika. “We want it to be more than a café; we want it to be a place where people can learn about different methods and try them out for themselves.”

For Erika, each bag of coffee beans is a reminder of her roots and her father. “Every time I open a bag of coffee beans, I almost cry,” she said lovingly. “It takes me back to my childhood and reminds me of my father.”

The Dancing Jaguar is brewing a bright future where customers not only enjoy a cup of coffee, but also savor the art of coffee making.

Related