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Guatemala Coffee | San Marco Region | Platanillo Estate | Maragogipe (Elephant Bean)

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style). Over the past century, coffee has boosted Guatemala's economy. It is estimated that there are currently about 125,000 coffee producers in the local area. Coffee is Guatemala's main export item, accounting for 40% of agricultural export income. Coffee cultivation is very common in Guatemala, found almost throughout the entire country.

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Cafe Style (WeChat public account: cafe_style).

Guatemala Coffee Overview

For the past century, coffee has fueled Guatemala's economy. It is estimated that there are currently about 125,000 coffee producers in the region. Coffee is Guatemala's main export item, accounting for 40% of agricultural export income. Coffee cultivation is very common throughout Guatemala, with coffee beans grown in almost all regions of the country. Out of 22 provinces, as many as 20 are engaged in coffee cultivation, with 98% grown under tree shade. These are almost exclusively Arabica beans, mostly processed using the washed method. Main varieties include Bourbon, Maragogype, Typica, Caturra, Catuaí, Pache, and Pacamara. Guatemala's high altitude, 300 different microclimates, stable rainfall, and fertile soil rich in minerals all contribute to ideal coffee growing conditions, making it the most favorable among Central American countries.

Since the early 1990s, Anacafé pioneered the division of Guatemala's coffee-producing regions based on coffee characteristics, growing climate, soil quality, and altitude, identifying 8 different regions that produce Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) coffee: the Acatenango valley, Antigua, Atitlán, Cobán, the Fraijanes plateau, Huehuetenango, Nuevo Oriente, and the San Marcos volcanic region. The main harvest season runs from December each year to March of the following year. Higher altitude regions like Huehuetenango may have longer harvest periods extending into April. Once the early harvest is completed and processed, the coffee is typically shipped between April and July.

El Platanillo Estate

El Platanillo Estate is located on the slopes of the Tacana and Tajumulco volcanoes, at altitudes ranging from 1,060 to 1,460 meters. In 1976, Samuel Coto Escobar purchased this farm, which is currently operated by his children. El Platanillo Estate specializes exclusively in cultivating the Maragogype variety of coffee beans, commonly known as "Elephant Beans." Maragogype is one of the so-called "heirloom" varieties, belonging to an older tree species cultivated for its unique flavor. In contrast, a Maragogype coffee tree might produce less than one kilogram of green beans per year, while newer high-yield hybrid varieties from recent years can easily produce three times that amount. The Maragogype coffee from Guatemala's El Platanillo Estate maintains excellent and consistent quality each season, providing coffee enthusiasts with an opportunity to explore and develop new favorite coffees.

Property Characteristics

Farm Name: Finca El Platanillo

Farmer: Stuardo Coto Markus

City: San Rafaël Pié de la Cuesta

Region: San Marcos

Country: Guatemala

Farm Size: 368 Hectares

Coffee Growing Area: 321 Hectares

Altitude: 1,060 - 1,460 meters

Coffee Characteristics

Variety: Maragogype (Elephant Beans)

A variety of Typica, discovered in Maragogype, Brazil and named in commemoration. The coffee beans are extremely large, measuring above 19 screen size, hence the name "Elephant Beans." It has a mild taste with slight acidity and sweetness, is difficult to cultivate, and has low production yield.

Processing System: Fully Washed

Appearance: Above 20 screen size

Top Jury Descriptions

Cupping roast level: 60 seconds after first crack begins (Cinnamon roast)

Aroma/Flavor: Almond, peanut, nuts, cocoa, raspberry, blackcurrant, oolong tea, lychee, floral perfume fragrance

Acidity: Unique, fresh, subtle, clean, mint, orange acidity, red grape acidity, apple acidity

Complexity and Other: Full mouth aroma, soft mouthfeel, aftertaste with strong oolong tea sensation becoming delicate at the end, with red grape fermented wine alcohol notes

Dry Aroma: 9

Wet Aroma: 10

Clean: 7

Brightness: 8

Mouthfeel: 9

Balance: 8

Complexity: 9

Sweetness: 9

Acidity: 8

Aftertaste: 10

Cupping Score: 87

Overall Evaluation

Finca El Platanillo Estate's single variety Maragogype (Elephant Beans) is an interesting coffee bean with complete, large appearance, but with flavor contrary to its size - very delicate and clean. I particularly enjoy the oolong tea fragrance and delicate fruit acidity released during light roasting and brewing. After entering second crack (Full City roast), most of the tea sensation and fruit acidity disappear, transforming into nutty, almond, and chocolate aromas.

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