Coffee culture

Characteristics of Atitlan Coffee Beans - Mature Fruit Sweetness of Guatemala Atitlan Coffee

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange, more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Guatemala's Atitlan Coffee Region. Atitlan is one of Guatemala's five major volcanic coffee regions, with the richest organic soil among them. 90% of traditional Atitlan coffee is grown in the Lake Atitlan area, known as the most beautiful volcanic lake.

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Guatemala's Atitlan Coffee Region

Atitlan is one of Guatemala's five major volcanic coffee regions, boasting the most organic matter in its soil among all five volcanic coffee regions. 90% of traditional Atitlan coffee is grown on the steep volcanic slopes along the shores of Lake Atitlan, known as the "most beautiful volcanic lake." Daily breezes from the Pacific Ocean stir the lake waters, creating an important factor that affects the region's microclimate.

Lake Atitlan is situated in the highlands of Guatemala's Sierra Madre mountains, where coffee beans grow on the slopes of local volcanoes. Every afternoon, warm air from the south meets cold air from the mountains, converging over Lake Atitlan's surface. These waves, combined with the equatorial region's intense sun and high altitude, create superior growing conditions for these beans.

Lake Atitlan is called the "most beautiful lake." This area was once a volcanic cluster, and volcanic eruptions caused the ground to sink, forming the lake over time. Corn and black beans are primarily grown here, but the most important product is coffee!

The main high-quality coffee producing regions in Guatemala are the Lake Atitlan area and the Huehuetenango region. The Antigua region is also an important coffee-producing area, where the coffee produced has received endless praise from numerous coffee enthusiasts. The beautiful Lake Atitlan has nurtured premium coffee, as if the coffee has absorbed the beautiful scenery of Lake Atitlan - just hearing this name brings comfort and beauty.

Guatemala has many active volcanoes, and periodic volcanic eruptions produce large amounts of fertile volcanic ash, keeping the soil in nearby areas constantly rich in nutrients and vitality. Guatemala coffee benefits from these favorable conditions, growing fully and developing distinctive flavors compared to coffee from other regions. What exactly are the characteristics of Guatemala coffee?

While Guatemala coffee may not have very high body, it combines perfectly with a pleasant, moderate acidity. Even more unique is the subtle smoky flavor that can be faintly detected within the delicate acidity - this distinctive taste comes from being nurtured in Guatemala's volcanic ash soil. Although the overall flavor is balanced and light, Guatemala coffee has a pleasant aftertaste, and the lingering feeling it brings will surely create more beautiful memories.

One of Guatemala's four major volcanic coffee regions. Atitlan's soil is the most fertile in organic matter. 90% of the coffee is grown along extremely steep slopes, extending all the way to Lake Atitlan, which is the largest and most famous of Guatemala's many volcanic lakes.

Soil: Volcanic soil

Altitude: 1,500-1,700 meters

Temperature: 14.0 - 22.0℃, Humidity: 75%-85%

Precipitation: 1,800-2,300mm

Varieties: Bourbon, Caturra, Typica, Catuai

Harvest Season: December - March

Flavor: Full body, aroma, and citrus acidity

Knowledge Point: The Antigua region is located in the entire area dominated by the Madre plateau in the topographically mountainous range that crosses Guatemala. Due to natural conditions in this producing area, Antigua has become Guatemala's most famous region.

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research center that loves to share knowledge about coffee with everyone. Our unconditional sharing is purely to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three low-discount coffee events every month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price - this has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six years!

Important Notice :

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