San Marcos, Guatemala: A Journey Through Volcanic Coffee Heritage and Flavor Excellence

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Guatemala Coffee Overview

Guatemala is located at approximately 15 degrees latitude. Due to the extensive mountain ranges stretching across the country, regional climate variations are significant, creating eight distinct coffee producing regions. All are situated in highland terrain under subtropical climate conditions, with abundant and stable rainfall and the perfect environment of fertile volcanic ash soil. The coffee beans produced here are all Arabica varieties, each with different flavors and characteristics. With excellent acidity and fruity aromas, they are smooth and palatable, ranking among the world's top coffees and suitable for single-origin brewing.

San Marcos Region

Geographical Location

Introduction to San Marcos Region

In ancient times, violent volcanic eruption activities created the mountainous terrain, plateaus, and abundant water resources of Guatemala - what is now the coffee producing region. The Santa Maria volcano is located in San Marcos. In 1902, it experienced the largest eruption of the 20th century and also the largest eruption in Central America in a thousand years. Massive amounts of volcanic ash blocked sunlight, causing global temperatures to drop by half a degree. All coffee estates were buried under volcanic ash, causing coffee production to decline by 75%. It took twenty years to gradually recover, but this resulted in rich volcanic ash soil.

Volcanic San Marcos is the warmest and highest rainfall area among Guatemala's eight coffee producing regions, and also the earliest flowering area. The rainy season lasts from late April to mid-November, with some areas receiving up to 200 inches of annual rainfall. Due to climatic conditions and unpredictable rainfall, most estates have their own washing processing plants, then dry the coffee halfway in courtyards before using low-temperature drying methods.

• Altitude: 1300-1800m
• Rainfall: 4000-5000mm
• Temperature: 21-27°C
• Relative Humidity: 70-80%
• Harvest Season: December - March
• Soil: Volcanic soil
• Main Drying Method: Sun drying and mechanical drying
• Shade Tree Types: Inga

Flavor Profile

Main Flavor Characteristics

Cedar, floral, bright acidity, full body.

ERGOS Cupping Flavor Library

Caramelized, nutty, bright acidity like stone fruit, herbal.

SAN MARCOS

San Marcos is both the warmest and rainiest coffee growing area in Guatemala. On the slopes facing the Pacific Ocean, the rainy season arrives early, so flowering occurs earlier than usual. Rainfall greatly affects post-harvest drying, so some farms use both sun drying and mechanical drying methods. In this region, agriculture is the economic pillar, with additional production of grains, fruits, meat, and wool.

• Altitude: 1300~1800m
• Harvest: December~March
• Varieties: Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai

San Marcos

Located in the remote southwestern volcanic region, south of the Huehuetenango producing region, with annual rainfall reaching 4000~5000cm and high humidity. It possesses volcanic and tropical rainforest microclimates, including humid warm sea breezes from the Pacific. This producing region is Guatemala's warmest, with prominent fruit and floral notes, low acidity but balanced flavor.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse selection of beans, where you can find both famous and lesser-known coffee varieties. Online shop services are also available. https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473