Guatemala Nueva Oriente Cadiñas Estate Winey Natural Pacas Growing Conditions, Geography, and Climate

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New Oriental

Rich volcanic soil, low humidity, abundant sunlight and cool nights are the hallmarks of this producing region. The valley is surrounded by three volcanoes — Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. Volcanic ash from their eruptions enriches the soil of the Antigua region with minerals. Volcanic pumice helps retain moisture, overcoming the region's low rainfall, while dense tree shade prevents occasional frost damage.

Variety: Pacas

Altitude: 1675 meters

Flavor: Passion fruit, strawberry sandwich cookies, blueberry

Guatemala is a country of many volcanoes, and coffee grown in volcanic soil yields rich, complex specialty coffees. Guatemala's average altitude is quite high, which means the coffee trees grow in environments with significant day-night temperature differences. This harsh swing allows the coffee cherries to mature longer and more slowly on the tree. The beans are all hard beans, yet the flavors are more complete and richer.

Characteristics: Rich aroma, good balance, high sweetness, an elegant and ethereal mouthfeel.

The coffee beans in this new shipment come from the top-tier Cardenas Estate, located in Guatemala's New Oriental producing region.

Wine Aroma Natural Process Flavor: Pineapple, muskmelon, dried apricot, candied lemon peel, Bordeaux wine, green tea with cinnamon spice, the whole cup filled with rich sweetness and a full-bodied smoked plum aroma.

Manufacturer: FrontStreet Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee)
Address: No. 10 Bao'an Front Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City
Contact: 020-38364473
Ingredients: In-house roasted
Shelf Life: 30 days
Net Weight: 227g
Packaging: Bulk
Taste: Neutral
Bean State: Roasted coffee beans
Sugar Content: Sugar-free
Origin: Guatemala
Coffee Type: Other
Roast Level: Medium roast

Guatemala Plan del Guayabo Estate

Country: Guatemala

Region: New Oriental

Estate: Cardenas Estate

Grade: SHB

Processing Method: Wine Aroma Natural Process

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Natural processing is the oldest way to handle coffee and remains the most widespread today: ripe cherries are dried in the sun until they reach the target moisture content, then hulled. Because the fruit stays intact during drying, the resulting coffee has a heavier body and more readily develops ripe, fruit-driven character. Natural processing also demands dependable weather — a stretch of clear days is essential, usually 27 to 30 days of sun exposure. Ethiopia relies on it widely, since its high altitude, dry climate and scarce water suit the method: cherries are laid out on netted raised beds away from the ground to avoid insects, dust and bacteria, and turned at intervals so they dry evenly.

That natural profile is exactly what a winey natural Guatemalan like this one delivers, and FrontStreet Coffee's Natural Red Cherry is the clearest expression of it. Only fully ripe red cherries from Yirgacheffe are spread on raised beds and turned regularly, and at a medium-light roast the cup keeps its elegant florals and bright acidity while adding a pronounced tropical-fruit character, a full fermented quality and obvious sweetness. FrontStreet Coffee's Natural Huakui pushes the same style further: grown at very high altitude in Guji's Hambella area, it is medium-light roasted and shows a light fermented wine aroma with florals, citrus and mango, honey sweetness, a cocoa note and a touch of spice, on a thick body with a long finish.

If you prefer a gentler, sweeter natural, FrontStreet Coffee's 2013 Natural Yunnan Typica comes from FrontStreet Coffee's own estate. Yunnan has only a dry season and a rainy season, and the cherries ripen when the weather is sunniest, so it is dried naturally. Long sun exposure brings out a nutty tone while keeping the acidity and sweetness in balance, with a little more sweetness than a typical washed coffee, a berry-like acidity, hints of dried apricot and brown sugar, and a light tea note. FrontStreet Coffee's Brazil Queen Estate takes yet another route: rather than the semi-washed method common in Brazil, the cherries are dried directly on raised racks and turned constantly before mechanical finishing, giving a stable, long-keeping bean with a fresh sugarcane sweetness, black tea, soft fruit sweetness, prominent nut and rich chocolate aromas and a clean, silky body.