Famous Guatemalan Coffee Estates and the Gentle, Water-like Characteristics of Guatemalan Coffee Beans

Introduction to Guatemalan Coffee

Today's Antigua Island is a renowned coffee-producing region. Its rich volcanic soil, low humidity, intense sunlight, and cool evening breezes characterize the Antigua area. Three spectacular active volcanoes—Agua, Acatenango, and Fuego—form a beautiful valley landscape. The active Fuego volcano occasionally adds a mysterious layer of dust. Approximately every 30 years, areas around Antigua Island suffer from volcanic eruptions, which provide more nitrogen to the already fertile soil. The abundant rainfall and sunshine make this place even more suitable for growing coffee.

Coffee from Antigua Island is produced at the Hacienda Carmona, where the finest coffee is ELPulcal. Not only is it of excellent quality, but when compared with other Latin American coffees, this variety is remarkably complete, with rich layers and stunning complexity. If enjoyed with chocolate, you'll discover unexpected delights. Most importantly, it has a very intense flavor, richer mouthfeel, and a captivating tobacco taste that has earned it the reputation of "the perfect coffee bean."

Another noteworthy traditional coffee estate in Guatemala is El Injerto, located in the Huehuetenango region in the northwest. The estate's unusual name comes from its founder, Jesus Aguirre Panama, who was concerned that seed reproduction might produce variants that would alter the characteristics of the original coffee variety. He therefore used grafting methods to cultivate pure Bourbon varieties to ensure coffee quality. However, while originally proud of the pure Bourbon, today's El Injerto estate values the Pacamara hybrid variety.

The Pacamara coffee beans cultivated at El Injerto are grown at high altitudes above 1,600 meters, becoming as famous as the Geisha variety from Panama's La Esmeralda estate. With its rich and varied flavors and smooth, rounded mouthfeel, Pacamara coffee won the Guatemala "Cup of Excellence" competition consecutively from 2008 to 2010. In 2008, El Injerto's Pacamara champion beans created a sensation in the coffee world by achieving an auction price of $80.20 per pound.

Currently, some of Guatemala's highest-quality coffees are exported to Japan. To revitalize its coffee industry, Guatemala has specially established a Specialty Coffee Association, providing maximum support and attention to these high-quality coffees. These efforts will soon yield results, and the true beneficiaries will not only be the coffee growers but coffee lovers worldwide.

Despite this emerald-like valley being surrounded by active volcanoes from all directions—volcanoes that have long harbored intentions and present dangers—the vast, expansive, and fertile soil still tempts local coffee growers to carefully cultivate premium coffee. They, in turn, prefer to be known to the world as the descendants of the Mayans who grow coffee.

Knowledge Point: Guatemala boasts over 300 microclimates throughout its territory, considered the world's highest number.

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