The Fraijanes Plains Coffee Region in Guatemala: Planting History and Flavor Characteristics

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Guatemala's Coffee Heritage

For the past century, coffee has supported Guatemala's economy. Currently, there are an estimated 125,000 coffee producers in the region, making coffee the main export commodity, accounting for 40% of exported agricultural products. As many as 20 out of 22 provinces are engaged in coffee cultivation, with coffee beans grown in almost all regions. 98% of the coffee is grown under shade trees, dominated almost exclusively by Arabica beans. The main sub-varieties include Bourbon, Tipica, Caturra, Catuaí, Pache, and Pacamara. Guatemala boasts high altitudes and 300 different microclimates, combined with stable rainfall and fertile, mineral-rich soil that all contribute to ideal coffee growing conditions, making it the most suitable among Central American countries.

Guatemala's Coffee Regions

Since the early 1990s, Anacafé has pioneered the classification of 8 different producing regions for high-grown Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) coffee based on coffee characteristics, growing climate, soil quality, and altitude: the Acatenango valley, Antigua, Atitlán, Cobán rainforest, the Fraijanes plateau, Huehuetenango, Nuevo Oriente, and San Marcos volcanic zone. The main harvest season runs from December to March of the following year, with higher altitude regions like Huehuetenango harvesting until April. Once harvesting is complete and processing is finished, the coffee is shipped.

Fraijanes Region

The volcanic altitude of the Fraijanes region is quite high, and the soil contains abundant pumice. The Fraijanes plateau still belongs to an active volcanic zone, so the coffee from this region shares similar characteristics with Antigua. However, abundant rainfall, high and variable humidity, and large temperature differences give the Fraijanes plateau very distinct flavor profiles.

Fraijanes Plateau / Average Temperature 12°C-26°C

This region has high volcanic altitude with soil rich in pumice. The Fraijanes plateau remains an active volcanic zone, which gives the coffee from this area characteristics similar to Antigua.

However, abundant rainfall, high and variable humidity, and large temperature differences provide the Fraijanes plateau with very different flavor profiles.

Coffee Flavor Profile

The coffee exhibits elegant aroma, a mild and rich overall texture, with distinctive and pleasant acidity.

Fraijanes Plateau Region Details

The Fraijanes Plateau region features high volcanic altitude with soil containing abundant pumice. The area remains an active volcanic zone, so the coffee shares similar characteristics with Antigua. However, abundant rainfall, high and variable humidity, and large temperature differences give the Fraijanes plateau very distinct flavor profiles. The coffee contains quite elegant aromas, a mild and rich overall texture, and distinctive, pleasant acidity. Altitude: 1,400-1,800 meters.

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