Guatemala Antigua - High Altitude Volcanic Beans | How to Brew Antigua Coffee

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Guatemala - Antigua Growing Region

Guatemala, a Central American country, boasts the ideal coffee growing environment, including the perfect combination of altitude for coffee growth, fertile soil, and climate conditions during the coffee growing period. Coffee produced in the Guatemala-Antigua region is the most renowned. When mentioned, people think of its distinctive smoky flavor and milk chocolate sweetness. The highest quality Antigua coffee is the Guatemala Antigua-High Mountain Volcanic beans, produced in small estates located in volcanic areas.

Introduction to Antigua Growing Region

Antigua experiences little rainfall in summer and occasional frost in winter due to excessive cold, which actually doesn't suit coffee tree growth. Fortunately, it's situated in an active volcanic zone. After volcanic eruptions, volcanic pumice falls into the soil and cools. These pumice stones have numerous fine pores that are excellent for moisture retention. Additionally, large shade trees planted in the estates protect coffee trees from cold damage in winter. These factors that overcome adverse conditions, combined with significant day-night temperature differences, create Antigua's unique microclimate, giving the coffee beans here a subtle smoky flavor and rich fruit aroma.

Flavor Profiles by Roast Level

Light Roast City (Fragrant): Hazelnut flavor with blueberry aroma, grapefruit acidity is subtle and bright, with smooth mouthfeel. The sweetness at this roast level is that of hawthorn fruit.

Medium Roast (General B): Hickory nut aroma, acidity becomes very gentle with a slight lift at the end, thin mouthfeel, milk chocolate sweetness, with a lingering finish of peanut powder in the aftertaste.

Dark Roast (General C): Chocolate replaces the hazelnut aroma, acidity only appears after cooling, mouthfeel is moderately viscous and smooth, sweetness is like maltose after roasting, delicate smoky flavor appears in the aftertaste.

When roasted to slightly dark (Full-City+ or dark), the chocolate and cocoa aromas are very attractive while the mouthfeel still maintains refined, clean, and subtle characteristics.

Brewing Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee Recommended Brewing Method: Pour-over

Grind size: (Japan Fuji R440) 3.5

V60 filter cup, 15g coffee grounds, water temperature 91°C

Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15

Segmentation: Pour with small water stream to 125g, pause, then slowly pour to 225g

Total time: Approximately 1 minute 50 seconds

Sweetness: ☆☆

Acidity: ☆☆☆

Bitterness: ☆

Other drip extraction suggestions:

French Press: Recommended grind size 3.5-4, water temperature 91°C

AeroPress: Recommended grind size 2.5, water temperature 90°C

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse coffee bean varieties, where you can find both famous and lesser-known beans. Online store service is also available. 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