Guatemala Natural Coffee Las Flores Finca Caturra, Bourbon Natural Process Refined Wine Notes

Guatemala Las Flores Natural Process Coffee

Region: Jutiapa, Jalapa and Santa Rosa, Guatemala

Estate: LAS FLORES

Varieties: Catuai, Caturra, Pache

Processing: Natural Process

Roast Level: Light

Altitude: 1,800-2,100 meters

Aroma: Berries, spices

Flavor: Berry notes, strawberry, dark grapes, chocolate, smooth mouthfeel

In Guatemala, climate and growing conditions have long made washed processing the mainstream, while natural processed coffee is relatively rare. This natural coffee is made from hand-picked, fully ripe red cherries and meticulous natural processing, which produces a more delicate flavor performance.

FrontStreet Coffee's cupping report for this bean notes an exquisite, delicate wine-like quality, with berry notes, dark berries, and rich grape acidity.

FrontStreet Coffee's Recommended Brewing Parameters

Dose: 15 g; medium-fine grind (BG 5T: 58% pass-through rate on a China-standard #20 sieve); water temperature 90 degrees C; ratio 1:15.

Use 28 g of water for a 30-second bloom, then pour with a small stream in circles from the center, in stages, to 122 g. When the water level drops to just before exposing the coffee bed, use a slightly larger flow to pour in circles to 230 g. When the water level again drops to just before exposing the bed, remove the dripper. Timing starts at the bloom, and extraction takes 1'56".

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

This Las Flores is a rare natural coffee from a country where washed processing normally dominates, and if you want to see how the same origin family tastes when washed, FrontStreet Coffee's Gutingding Cooperative coffee makes an instructive comparison. From Gutingding village in Yirgacheffe, this team is known for precise processing, and the washed method lets the coffee show jasmine florals and bright citrus acidity to the full, with green tea and honey tones after a medium-light roast. It suits pour-over, cold brew, and espresso alike.

For another clean, washed coffee built around vivid fruit, FrontStreet Coffee's Kenya Small Tomato is a standout, since Kenya excels at double washed processing. After repeated rinsing and soaking, the cup shows a juicy, tart character with cherry tomato, smoked plum, snow pear, black plum, and brown sugar, and a sweet, succulent mouthfeel. Set either of these side by side with the Las Flores to taste just how much processing method shapes a coffee from the same broad growing region.