Guatemala's Four Major Coffee Growing Regions and Estate Information Introduction | Guatemala Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

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Guatemala is a country with numerous volcanoes. The Guatemalan coffee beans grown in volcanic soil produce rich specialty coffees. Guatemala has a high average altitude, which means the coffee trees grow in environments with significant day-night temperature variations. This harsh environment with large temperature differences allows Guatemalan coffee cherries to mature longer and more slowly on the trees. The beans are hard beans, yet their flavors are more complete and complex.

Acatenango Valley

Rising to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level, with dense shade and unique ecology, the nearby Fuego volcano's frequent eruptions enrich its coarse, sandy soil with various minerals. Warm sea breezes from the Pacific Ocean and a climate with distinct seasons allow coffee from this region to be sun-dried and processed using traditional family methods accumulated over many years.

Characteristics: Noticeable acidity, significant and pleasant dry and wet aromas, good body, clear and long aftertaste.

Rainforest Cobán

Consistently cloudy, rainy, and cool in climate. The majority of Rainforest Cobán coffee is grown in the region's distinctly undulating and misty mountainous areas, deeply influenced by limestone and clay from the Atlantic basin. Cobán has two seasons: rainy season and very rainy season.

Characteristics: Obvious fresh fruit flavors, balanced body, pleasant aroma.

Antigua

Rich volcanic soil, lower humidity, abundant sunshine, and cool nights characterize this region. This valley is surrounded by three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. Volcanic ash from eruptions enriches Antigua's soil with minerals. Volcanic pumice retains moisture, compensating for Antigua's lower rainfall; dense shade provides protection from occasional frost damage.

Characteristics: Rich wet aroma, good balance, high sweetness, elegant and ethereal mouthfeel.

La Minita Estate

Coffee Region: Antigua

Coffee Estate: La Minita Estate

Coffee Varieties: Caturra, Caturra red, Caturra yellow, and Bourbon

Coffee Grade: SHB

Processing Method: Grown in volcanic ash soil, washed processing

Roast Level: Medium-dark roast (Full City)

La Minita is the name of an estate. The bean named "Flora" under their company is very famous and is their star product. La Minita Estate has excellent growing conditions and subsequent processing procedures. This bean is also entrusted to the very famous local processing plant in Guatemala, Pastores Mill, for washed processing.

La Minita's Coffee Varieties and Cultivation

In approximately 680 acres of planting area, La Minita Estate cultivates four varieties of coffee trees: Caturra, Caturra red, Caturra yellow, and Bourbon. After years of experimental statistical analysis and cupping quality tests, La Minita Estate decided to primarily use the Caturra variety while continuously maintaining a small quantity of the old Hibrido variety. Although La Minita plants about 2,500 coffee trees per acre, it still determines planting quantities based on geographical regional characteristics and coffee tree varieties. La Minita Estate currently has a total of approximately 1.7 million trees. La Minita uses a 5-year rotation system. Every 5 years, the original coffee trees are cut to about 50 centimeters in height, leaving lower branches. This practice stimulates tree regeneration. One year after cutting, two main young branches are selected for production over the next four years. All these processes are performed manually, with about 350,000 trees pruned annually. After three pruning cycles, or 15 years, the coffee trees' resources are nearly depleted. La Minita replaces them with new trees from their own coffee nursery, located in a well-protected area within the estate. New trees in the nursery are planted for one year before being transplanted to the production farms. Under normal circumstances, La Minita transplants about 150,000 coffee trees annually. Additionally, La Minita uses fast-growing, broad-leaved "Pror" trees as coffee shade trees. These trees are planted at different densities depending on the production area's sunlight needs and temperature control, and are adjusted according to demand.

All soil within the estate undergoes soil testing twice a year. Based on these test results, fertilization decisions are made. La Minita Estate is very careful when using products that can increase yields, fertilizing about three times a year. This approach is based on economic and environmental considerations. Additionally, spraying trace elements such as zinc, boron, and copper on the back of leaves provides more nutrients to the coffee trees and prevents diseases.

Huehuetenango Highlands

Among Guatemala's three major non-volcanic coffee-producing regions, the Huehuetenango Highlands is the driest climate and highest altitude area. Dry, hot winds from Mexico's Tehuantepec plateau protect the region's Guatemalan coffee beans from frost damage, allowing coffee cultivation up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet). Due to the remote location, all coffee farmers must process their own coffee. Fortunately, the region has countless streams, allowing small processing plants to be established almost anywhere.

Characteristics: Balanced and pleasant taste, high body, with wine-like aftertaste.

Finca El Injerto

Grade: SHB

Region: Huehuetenango

Roast Level: Medium-dark roast

Processing Method: Washed

Varieties: Caturra, Catuai, Bourbon

Soil: Volcanic soil

Flavor: Nuts, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf

Estate Introduction

Finca El Injerto is located on the famous Huehuetenango plateau region of Guatemala. The Aguirre family has been growing coffee there since 1900. The estate name "Injerto" comes from a local fruit name. El Injerto Estate places special emphasis on ecological protection and organic cultivation techniques, implementing strict quality control to ensure the quality of green coffee beans. Through the efforts of the Aguirre family, El Injerto Estate has also received Rainforest Alliance certification and has been a frequent winner in many international coffee competitions since 2002.

El Injerto Estate (also translated as Graft Estate) is one of the top estates in Guatemala. If it claims to be second, probably no one would dare to claim first! It has won many world-class competition awards, leading to today's achievements. Last year, the estate owner further elevated their estate's status. Like Panama's famous Esmeralda Estate, El Injerto Estate holds global bidding competitions. Of course, the competition beans they offer are exceptionally impressive. Notably, the first batch of "Mocha variety" in 2012 set a world record, reaching an astronomical price of "$500.5/pound USD," becoming a truly star estate!

For this competition, El Injerto Estate specially launched the "Best of El Injerto" series, selecting small batches of the highest quality and coffee varieties from within the estate. Experienced farmers carefully select ripe coffee cherries, and then cuppers eliminate batches that do not meet quality standards. Under such strict screening criteria, the Pacamara variety from El Injerto Estate accounts for only about 8% of total production.

Guatemalan Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

The Guatemalan coffee beans roasted by FrontStreet Coffee offer full guarantees in both brand and quality. More importantly, they offer excellent value for money. A 227-gram package costs only 118 yuan. Calculating at 15 grams per cup, one package can make 15 cups of coffee, with each cup costing only about 8 yuan. Compared to coffee shops selling cups for dozens of yuan each, this is truly a conscientious recommendation.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473