Guatemala El Platanillo Estate Introduction Guatemala Coffee Flavor Characteristics

Guatemala Coffee: Rich Heritage and Excellence

For the past century, coffee has fueled Guatemala's economy. Currently, it's estimated that there are approximately 125,000 coffee producers in the region, making coffee Guatemala's primary export commodity, accounting for 40% of agricultural export income. Coffee cultivation is widespread throughout Guatemala, with coffee beans grown in nearly all regions of the country. Among 22 provinces, as many as 20 are engaged in coffee cultivation, with 98% grown under shade trees.

These coffee plantations are almost exclusively dominated by Arabica beans, mostly processed using the washed method. The main varieties include Bourbon, Maragogype, Tipica, Caturra, Catuaí, Pache, and Pacamara. Guatemala's high altitude and 300 different microclimates, combined with stable rainfall and fertile, mineral-rich soil, create ideal conditions for coffee cultivation, making it the most favorable among Central American countries.

Guatemala's Eight Coffee Regions

Since the early 1990s, Anacafé has pioneered the classification of Guatemala's coffee production into eight distinct regions for Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) cultivation, based on coffee characteristics, growing climate, soil quality, and altitude: the Acatenango valley, Antigua, Atitlán, Cobán rainforest, the Fraijanes plateau, Huehuetenango, Nuevo Oriente, and the San Marcos volcanic region.

The main harvest season runs from December each year to March of the following year. Higher altitude regions like Huehuetenango may have longer harvest periods extending into April. Once the early harvest is completed and processed, shipments typically occur between April and July.

El Platanillo Estate: Premium Maragogype Excellence

El Platanillo Estate is situated on the slopes of the Tacana and Tajumulco volcanoes, at altitudes ranging from 1,060 to 1,460 meters. In 1976, Samuel Coto Escobar purchased this farm, which is now operated by his children. El Platanillo Estate specializes exclusively in cultivating and producing Maragogype coffee beans, commonly known as "Elephant Beans."

Maragogype is considered one of the so-called "heirloom" varieties, belonging to older tree species cultivated specifically for their unique flavor profile. In contrast, a Maragogype coffee tree may produce less than one kilogram of green beans per year, while newer high-yield hybrid varieties from recent years can easily produce three times that amount. The Maragogype coffee beans from Guatemala's El Platanillo Estate demonstrate excellent and consistent quality each season, providing everyone with an opportunity to explore and develop new favorite coffee preferences.

Brewing Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee suggests brewing parameters:

• Pour-over: V60 dripper with Fuji R440 grind at 3.5, water temperature around 90°C
• French Press: Recommended grind setting of 4, water temperature 90°C
• Siphon: Recommended grind setting of 4, water temperature between 90°C-91°C
• AeroPress: Recommended grind setting of 3.5, water temperature 90°C

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