Starbucks Caceres Coffee Beans - The Heartwarming Story Behind Guatemala Caceres Coffee Beans

Welcome to our coffee knowledge exchange. This article is part of an ongoing series on coffee beans, origins, and brewing.

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Guatemala Cacisero

Guatemala was one of the great centers of ancient Maya civilization. In the Maya-Toltec language, Guatemala means "land of dense forests," and two-thirds of the country is highland. High elevation, a mild climate, abundant sunshine, cool nights, and a well-defined rainy season give Guatemala exceptional natural conditions for growing coffee. The country is also dotted with active volcanoes, and their fertile soil allows the region to produce coffee of world-class quality.

Guatemala's official languages are Spanish and 23 indigenous languages, including Maya. The Spanish arrived in 1523, destroying much of the local Maya culture and beginning a period of colonial rule. During this time, destructive policies led to the loss of most Maya books, with only a small portion surviving.

In 1524 Guatemala was fully colonized by Spain, and Antigua served as the capital during the Spanish colonial period beginning in 1543. Although the city sat in a valley ringed by layers of active volcanoes, this mysterious, vast, and extraordinarily fertile land still tempted the Spaniards to build their capital in the cliff valley. The site was later engulfed by a volcanic eruption. After the disaster it came to be tended by indigenous people, who grew world-renowned coffee on this resilient and hardworking land.

The lush Antigua Valley of Guatemala sits at nearly one mile above sea level (1 mile = 1,609.344 meters), making it a paradise for growing Guatemala Cacisero.

(In Spanish, Cacisero means "like a paradise.")

Guatemala Cacisero combines coffee beans from four Antigua farms, surrounded by three volcanoes (Agua, Acatenango, and Fuego). Tucked between three volcanoes, this area has consistently produced some of the best coffee in the country and has maintained a strong tradition of coffee horticulture. Two of the local farm facilities were funded by Starbucks. Guatemala Cacisero coffee beans are the result of a collaboration between Starbucks and several chefs from a renowned Seattle restaurant.

Coffee Information

Name: Guatemala Cacisero

Roast Profile: Medium roast

Processing Method: Washed method

Origin: Latin America

Flavor Description: Bright acidity and smooth cocoa aftertaste

Tasting Pairings: Chocolate, nuts, cheese

FrontStreet Coffee Philosophy

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a specialty coffee research center, happy to share knowledge about coffee with everyone. We share without reservation simply to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three coffee discount 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!

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If the balanced cocoa sweetness and gentle brightness of this Guatemalan coffee are what you look for in a daily cup, FrontStreet Coffee's Latin American single origin lineup is the natural next step. For a clean, approachable introduction, try the FrontStreet Brazil Cerrado Red Bourbon: grown in the well-known Cerrado region, it is soft-bodied and low in acidity, with the classic cream, peanut, and cocoa notes that make Brazilian coffee such an easy everyday drink.

For something a little sweeter and more complex, the FrontStreet Queen's Estate is a rare Yellow Bourbon planted at higher elevation. Alongside the butter, seeds, macadamia, and almond aromatics typical of Brazil, it carries a clear sugarcane-like sweetness and a thick, silky mouthfeel that shines whether brewed as a pour-over or paired with milk.