2016 COE 5th Place Guatemala | Las Minas Treasure Mountain Range Finca Pia 100% Washed Caturra

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2016 COE Fifth Place Guatemala | Las Minas Bella Vista Estate 100% Washed Caturra Flavor Profile

The Las Minas mountain range is located in eastern Guatemala, housing countless treasures of the country. In addition to natural forest ecosystems and wildlife, it contains rich gold and jade mineral veins, making the treasures of Las Minas mountains famous throughout Central America. To protect this mountain forest, the Las Minas mountain range has now been designated as a Guatemala National Park.

In early times, due to the high altitude and latitude, Las Minas mountains had a cold climate, making it unsuitable for coffee cultivation in the region. However, with the effects of global warming, high-altitude specialty coffee cultivation has gradually emerged in the Las Minas mountain area. Among these, the most famous is undoubtedly the Bella Vista Estate. "Bella" means "beautiful" in Spanish, accurately depicting this beautiful estate. Bella Vista Estate is one of the earliest estates in the Las Minas mountain area to start cultivating high-altitude specialty coffee. After gaining prominence in the Guatemala Cup of Excellence (C.O.E), it has enabled this emerging micro-region to secure a place in the Cup of Excellence.

Located on the southern slope of the Las Minas mountain range, Guatemala's southern volcanic island chain blocks moisture from the Pacific Ocean, while the northern mountains block moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, creating a very dry microclimate in this area. However, Bella Vista Estate enjoys unique advantages, with a babbling mountain spring within the estate that provides abundant water year-round for irrigation and excellent washed processing methods.

Through four generations of the estate family's efforts, Bella Vista Estate now possesses outstanding experience and wisdom in variety selection, cultivation, harvesting, and processing methods. The estate also places great importance on environmental conservation: using solar-powered drying facilities, recycling water, worm hatcheries (to enhance soil fertility through natural composting methods); and is committed to improving the quality of life for estate workers: providing medical assistance, education, housing environments, and related social welfare services.

In the past, Guatemalan coffee estates were accustomed to mixing Bourbon, Caturra, and Catuai to achieve stable yields and satisfy the complementary nature of these three varieties. However, after multiple cuppings, we found that 100% single-variety Caturra batches sometimes show more outstanding acidity fullness, three-dimensionality, and intensity of fruit flavors.

Coffee Specifications

Region: Las Minas mountain range

Altitude: 1500 m

Processing Method: Washed processing method

Variety: 100% Caturra

Award Record: 2016 C.O.E Fifth Place Award-winning Estate

Harvest Season: 2017-2018

Screen Size: Screen size 17-18 - 70.4%, screen size 19 - 12%

Moisture Content: 11.4%

Soil: Clay soil

Shade Trees: Inga

Annual Rainfall: 2000-3000mm

Flavor Description: Mint, bergamot, combined fresh berries and peach black tea-like flavors

FrontStreet Coffee's Recommended Brewing Method:

Dripper: Hario V60

Water Temperature: 90°C

Grind Size: Fuji Royal R-440 grind size 3.5

Brewing Technique: Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, 15g coffee grounds, first pour 25g water, bloom for 25s, second pour to 120g water then stop, wait until the water level in the coffee bed drops to half before continuing to pour, slowly pour until reaching 225g total water, extraction time around 2:00

Analysis: Using a three-stage brewing method to clearly define the front, middle, and back-end flavors of the coffee. Because the V60 has many ribs and drains quickly, stopping the water flow can help extend the extraction time.

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473