Introduction to Guatemalan La Perla Estate (Finca La Perla) and Characteristics of Guatemalan Coffee

About Finca La Perla

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Finca La Perla is located in western Guatemala, surrounded by steep green hills in the Ixil Triangle highlands (Ixil is a widely used Mayan language in the region).

This unique region is renowned for its indigenous culture and stunning landscapes. As an isolated estate famous for its distinctive local culture and beautiful scenery, "La Perla" means "Sleeping Woman" in Mayan, which deepens our impression of its beauty.

Coffee Cultivation and Processing

Since 1940, La Perla coffee has been cultivated, with coffee growing at elevations between 1,100-1,800 meters, planted in soft soil with higher clay and sand content than limestone bases. The Arenas family pays great attention to detail at every stage of the coffee process. Beans are only hand-picked when fully mature, then dried according to weather conditions either under humidity, in sunlight, or in mechanical dryers.

Awards and Farm Characteristics

La Perla began gaining prominence when it won the Presidential Award in the 2006 Cup of Excellence competition. This large farm dedicates approximately 15% of its land area (493 hectares) out of 3,285 square kilometers to growing Caturra and Bourbon variety coffees. Additionally, 990 hectares serve as a native forest reserve, creating a paradise for animals, birds, and native plant species. The farm's rain-washed hills also contain several natural springs, whose Ixbil and Sasa Bay river basins provide sufficient water to irrigate the entire farm.

Climate and Community

The region features a hot, humid climate with annual rainfall between 197-217 inches. These conditions also support various other crops, including cardamom, macadamia nuts, and grains. The farm's land is scattered with small settlements where 2,500 to 3,000 local Mayan people reside. Most farm workers are employed on the farm and tend their own land, growing staple crops for home consumption. Approximately 500 workers form a solidarity association whose activities help improve the living standards of the farm community.

Historical Challenges and Resilience

The commitment of its staff allowed La Perla to continue production during the civil war (approximately 1960-1996 - the longest civil war in continental American history), despite the farm being located in the center of conflict between army and guerrilla forces based in the surrounding mountains. During the armed conflict, thousands of civilians in Guatemala's Triangle region were killed, tortured, or disappeared as the Guatemalan military pursued a "scorched earth" policy to destroy villages.

[A United Nations-sponsored report published in 1999 estimated that the state was responsible for 93% of human rights violations during the war, while guerrillas accounted for 3%. It was estimated that 83% of the victims were Mayan.] At the end of the armed conflict, the farm worked hard to reintegrate those most affected by the violence: refugees who had fled to save their families. La Perla provided jobs, rebuilt entire villages, and promoted health campaigns such as vaccination programs, facilitating the return of many people whose lives had been affected by the conflict.

Brewing Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee suggests brewing parameters:

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

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

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

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

Important Notice :

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