Introduction to Finca Chacaya Estate in Guatemala | Guatemala Coffee Flavor Guide

Finca Chacaya - The Mystical Lake Estate

Finca Chacaya, known as the Mystical Lake Estate, is located on the western highlands of Guatemala, situated between the San Pedro volcano and the shores of Lake Atitlán. It is a plantation with a century-long history.

Finca Chacaya Mystical Lake Estate is situated on the highest western plateau of Guatemala, nestled between the San Pedro volcano and Lake Atitlán (Lake Atitlán is also known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, located at 1550m altitude!). The estate is located in the volcanic zone at elevations ranging from 1,565 to 2,100 meters. Here you'll find breathtaking scenery with large volcanic lakes, coffee farms, and magnificent views of three volcanoes surrounding the lake (Atitlán, San Pedro, and Toliman).

The coffee quality here is considered the estate's most precious asset. The wonderful results brought by high altitude, volcanic soil, and microclimate can all be found on the farm. Due to its proximity to the lake, volcanic soil, and surrounding mountains, all these factors contribute to the formation of a unique microclimate. The farm's cupping profile presents a very delicate mouthfeel, excellent fruit acidity, rich body, sweetness, as well as notes of red fruits, honey, and intense aromas.

Finca Chacaya Mystical Lake Estate cultivates different coffee varieties, mainly Typica, and also grows Caturra, Colombia, Catimor, and recently started nursery cultivation of Geisha and other special coffee varieties. Currently, it mainly exports to Japan, Taiwan, the United States, and Canada.

The farm is a family enterprise. In the nineteenth century, the Cabrera family came from Spain. He helped establish the town of SOLOLA. Then, he went to Guatemala to study law, but he always longed for his hometown. In 1909, he purchased Finca Chacaya Mystical Lake Estate.

Since then, coffee has become the most important crop on this farm. However, affected by the coffee crisis in 1990, they began planting bananas and avocados. Nevertheless, the entire family's greatest passion still comes from coffee!

Using traditional processing methods: carefully hand-picked red cherries, depulped, naturally fermented, and then dried by sun exposure.

Finca Chacaya Mystical Lake Estate won the Best Coffee of the Year in the Atitlán region in 2014, presenting this wonderful flavor to the world.

In ancient Mayan language, CHACAYA means "hillside full of clouds and mist." The mysterious Lake Atitlán is a volcanic lake, externally enclosed with no rivers, but the water is clear and bottomless. However, every 50 years, the lake water rises and falls by 15 feet, which is very mysterious. Currently, the lake level has dropped 17 feet compared to the 1970s. Such a mysterious lake, with such a meaningful estate, is translated into Chinese as the Mystical Lake Estate.

FrontStreet Coffee's Brewing Recommendations:

Pour-over: V60 dripper, grind with Fuji R440 at 3.5, water temperature around 90°C

French Press: Recommended grind setting is 4, water temperature 90°C

Siphon: Recommended grind setting is 4, water temperature between 90°C-91°C

AeroPress: Recommended grind setting is 3.5, water temperature 90°C

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473