How are Guatemala Coffee Beans and What's the Correct Way to Drink Guatemala Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee Introduction: Guatemalan Coffee

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Guatemala is a country of volcanoes, and its best cities are comparable to third and fourth-tier cities in mainland China. The capital was originally located in the ancient city of Antigua, but was forced to relocate to Guatemala City due to volcanic eruptions.

The Famous Huehuetenango Region

The famous Huehuetenango region grows coffee on extremely steep mountains. Some coffee plantations are so steep that even with hiking sticks, it's difficult to maintain footing - one can imagine how challenging the work is for coffee farmers. In fact, the greatest impression from this trip to Guatemala was experiencing the hardship of coffee farmers. Thinking about how the coffee we usually drink is grown under such difficult conditions fills one with humility and unease.

The Antigua Region

In contrast, the Antigua region is much flatter. The entire Antigua area resembles a plain connecting two large mountains. On the road to the Antigua region, both sides of the four-lane asphalt road are lined with private mansions with beautifully decorated facades and large numbers of coffee trees planted in their yards. About 80% of Antigua's coffee is grown in similar environments. Although not as steep as the Huehuetenango region, the altitude here is around 1,500 meters, meeting the altitude requirements for coffee cultivation, and the quality is indeed excellent.

Coffee Growing Regions by Altitude

Based on altitude, Guatemala has three main coffee-producing regions, which affect the quality and flavor of each cup. The first is the low zone (760-1,070 meters), characterized by high growth rates, low acidity, and smooth body. The second is the intermediate zone (1,070-1,200 meters), offering average acidity and flavor. Finally, there's the high zone (1,300-2,000 meters), featuring high acidity and intense flavor.

Environmental Challenges

Despite the country's income, the national consumption rate remains relatively low. Therefore, the best approach is to export coffee beans. Over the years, natural rainforests have diminished due to urban development, livestock, and the coffee industry. In fact, coffee plantations have become major artificial oases in Central America, where forests filled with coffee plants and shade trees serve as oxygen sources. Due to climate change, there are significant potential risks; the remaining animals and migratory birds use plantations as substitutes for former rainforests, but new pathogens can attack plantations in a short time and destroy this final oasis.

Guatemalan Coffee Characteristics

Guatemalan coffee not only features smooth, high-density beans but also offers rich flavor profiles with balanced acidity. The sweetness characteristics are closer to chocolate, and some specific regions add a subtle smoky note that further emphasizes its depth and mystery.

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