Introduction to Guatemala's Huehuetenango Coffee Region & How Guatemalan Coffee is Graded

GUATEMALA

Guatemala's most renowned representative coffees: Antigua and Huehuetenango.

Guatemala is situated at approximately 15 degrees latitude, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The Sierra Madre mountain range along the Pacific coast forms Guatemala's primary coffee-growing region. Due to the extensive mountain range and significant regional climate variations, Guatemala has developed seven distinct coffee-producing areas. Each of these seven regions produces coffee with unique flavors and characteristics. Among them, Antigua's coffee features mild acidity, rich fragrance, and mellow sweetness with a hint of volcanic smoky flavor, making Guatemalan coffee particularly famous worldwide for this region. Guatemalan coffee belongs to the Arabica species and is processed using the washed method. In the distant northwestern region lies the Huehuetenango highlands, where elevations exceed 5,000 feet, producing coffee with the characteristics of high-altitude beans: hard texture, strong acidity, and rich flavor profile, making it another distinctive coffee variety from Guatemala.

HUEHUETENANGO

Huehuetenango, located at the foot of the Cuchumatanes Mountains, is Central America's highest non-volcanic mountain range. The Cuchumatanes Mountains feature limestone soil with higher pH values, providing natural nutrients for coffee cultivation. Hot air currents rising from Mexico's Tehuantepec Plain spread throughout the area and merge with the cold air descending from the Cuchumatanes Mountains. Consequently, this region remains frost-free, allowing coffee cultivation at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters.

The extreme remoteness of Huehuetenango means that almost all producers process their own coffee. Fortunately, the region boasts an abundance of rivers and streams, making processing facilities readily available throughout. The area possesses ideal geographical conditions for cultivating premium coffee. Coffee from Huehuetenango is exceptional, featuring distinctive acidity and flavor profiles.

FrontStreet Coffee's Guatemalan Bolsa micro-lot beans originate from the Huehuetenango region, with only 138 kilograms available globally, making it extremely rare. Although produced in Guatemala, it unusually lacks the characteristic smoky flavor typical of Guatemalan coffee. It presents rich layered complexity with notes of plum, passion fruit, and raisin.

GRADE

Altitude Grading: Like many other Central American countries, Guatemala has its own coffee-growing altitude classification system. The higher the altitude, the slower the growth and maturation process. Therefore, green beans at higher elevations have greater density and superior quality.

Prime: Grown at altitudes of 750-900 meters

Extra Prime: Grown at altitudes of 900-1,050 meters

Semi Hard Bean: Grown at altitudes of 1,050-1,220 meters

Hard Bean (HB): Grown at altitudes of 1,220-1,300 meters

Strictly Hard Bean (SHB): Grown at altitudes exceeding 1,300 meters

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, offering both famous and lesser-known beans, plus online service at 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