Guatemala San Sebastian Coffee Bean Cupping Report_How is San Sebastian Estate Coffee

Exceptional Guatemalan Coffee at FrontStreet Coffee

Among the many offerings at FrontStreet Coffee, Guatemalan beans stand out. Their uniqueness in the market is irreplaceable. We are constantly hunting for exceptionally high-quality specialty beans from the major producing countries, and at FrontStreet Coffee, Guatemalan coffee is one of the most prominent items in our selection. Guatemala has seven main coffee regions: Antigua, Cobán, San Marcos, Atitlán, Huehuetenango, Fraijanes Plateau, and New Oriente.

Today's featured bean comes from the San Sebastian Estate in San Miguel Dueñas, Antigua. Established in 1890, it is now run by the fourth generation of the family. Across its century of operation, in both equipment and processing, it has been a model of excellence in Guatemala. The estate won first place in Guatemala's first agricultural competition in 1900, took second at the Guatemala National Exposition in September 1904, and claimed the championship there the following year. In 1942 the Guatemalan government honored it with the prestigious Quality Assurance Processing Plant designation, and in 1968 Anacafé (Asociación Nacional del Café, Guatemala's national coffee association) awarded it the Quality Cup. Years of continued effort and improvement have since earned it remarkable honors in the Cup of Excellence (COE) in 2002, 2007, and 2008.

Cupping Report and Basic Information for Guatemala San Sebastian Coffee Beans

Dry Aroma

Melon, floral aromas, nuts, and spices

Wet Aroma

Grapefruit, florals, spicy pepper, sweet-and-sour fruitiness, smoky aromas, and a subtle white musk

Sipping

Clean texture with clear layers, excellent body, persistent sweetness in the aftertaste, pleasant acidity, a lasting mouthwatering sensation, and evolving complexity

Coffee Bean Details

• Region: Antigua
• Estate: San Sebastian
• Estate Owner: Agropecuaria Salfar, S.A.
• Municipality: San Miguel Dueñas
• Altitude: 1,692 meters
• Honors: 2008 COE 5th Place; 2007 COE 16th Place; 2002 COE 21st Place
• Score: 89.38
• Variety: 100% Bourbon
• Grade: SHB (Strictly Hard Bean)
• Process: Fully natural / dry-processed
• Appearance/Defects: Green, 0 defects/300g

Brewing Analysis for Guatemala San Sebastian Coffee Beans

Pour-Over Reference

Use a V60 dripper with 16g of coffee and 32g of water for a 30-second bloom at 89-90°C, at a 1:14 ratio. Grind medium-fine (setting 4 on a Fuji grinder). For the second pour, add water to 140ml, pause until the level drops, then continue pouring slowly and evenly, keeping the water level from rising too high. Stop at 220ml total, with an extraction time of 2:15. This method draws out the coffee's distinctive smoky notes and chocolate flavors - adjust freely to your own taste.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If the florals in this natural Bourbon caught your attention, FrontStreet Coffee's floral-forward shelf runs even deeper. The FrontStreet Worka (Guodingding) Cooperative Yirgacheffe carries classic washed-Ethiopian character - white floral sweetness close to jasmine, bright citrus acidity, and a green tea finish - and makes a wonderfully crisp cold brew. The FrontStreet Boquete Geisha, grown near Panama's famous estates like Esmeralda and Elida, offers classic orange-blossom honey notes with citrus, melon, and honeyed sweetness touched by caramel. And the FrontStreet Strawberry Sugar Geisha Blend - Costa Rica honey process plus washed Panama Geisha - layers raisin, orange, ripe blueberry, a rose-like closed-flower aroma, and a whisper of almond for a richly complex cup.