Guatemala – Finca El Paternal Estate
The Coffee
Our Guatemalan coffee has been expertly sourced from fair trade farms in Guatemala, such as the Finca El Paternal Estate, which is family owned and operated.
The Americas produce some of the best and most abundant high-quality coffee anywhere in the world. Guatemala produces some of the most delicious coffee beans in Central America due to its primarily tropical climate, long wet season, and high elevation.
The beans used in our delicious Guatemalan coffee are grown at more than 5,000 feet, which accounts for its robust and distinct flavour. With its mild subtropical climate and nutrient-rich volcanic soil, Guatemala's unique growing region provides an ideal environment for growing many of the world's most delicious coffee beans.
Guatemala has a rich history of coffee production and remains a coffee industry leader. Not only does Guatemala produce a heck of a lot of coffee (in 2015, it was the 10th highest country that produced coffee), most of which is excellent, even by speciality-grade standards.
The Flavour
We are biased, of course, but our Guatemalan coffee is utterly delicious!
Not only is it robust and full-bodied, but it also contains subtle hints of floral and citrus aromas that will have you coming back for more.
Renowned for its chocolatey, earthy flavours, our Guatemalan blend also has underlying notes of cocoa, giving you a delicious coffee with a unique nutty after-taste, which is second to none, and loved by coffee lovers across the globe.
The History
In the mid-1700s, Jesuit missionaries brought coffee trees to Guatemala as ornamental plants. However, the country did not start commercially growing coffee on a large scale until the mid-1800s, when the introduction of synthetic dyes destroyed Guatemala's cochineal and indigo dye industries. Nevertheless, by 1880, coffee accounted for 90% of Guatemala's exports.
Guatemala Has a Reputation for Growing High-Quality Coffee
Except for 1940, when all exports were halted due to the 2nd World War, coffee has been Guatemala's most important export. Today, the country is best known for its speciality-grade coffee beans and is frequently second (behind Colombia) in producing high-quality coffee.
The Region
There are 8 Distinct Growing Regions in Guatemala
Antigua, surrounded by three volcanoes, with one active, Atitlan, named after Lake Atitlan, which is surrounded by volcanoes and provides cool night breezes that create unique microclimates.
Pacaya Volcano, Huehuetenango, has elevations ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 metres and is known for producing fruit-forward coffees.
Fraijanes, which has elevations ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 metres and is home to Guatemala's most active volcano, Pacaya Volcano
Huehuetenango, which has elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 metres and is known for producing
Pacaya Volcano, Huehuetenango, has elevations ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 metres and is known for producing fruit-forward coffees.
Nuevo Oriente is a lesser-known region with elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,700 metres.
Coban has lower elevations of 1,300 to 1,500 metres and a less pronounced dry season, resulting in syrupy, deep flavour profiles.
San Marcos, with elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,800 metres and a growing season that begins earlier than in other regions.
Guatemalan Coffee Has a Bright Future
Guatemala's coffee industry is expected to thrive soon, mainly because it has a well-developed industry infrastructure, with its coffee sold worldwide. In addition, the country is currently free from many of the difficulties some other coffee-producing countries face.