Guatemala Coffee Grading System: Characteristics of Guatemalan Coffee Beans with Beautiful Flavors and Balanced Acidity

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FrontStreet Coffee - Guatemala Coffee Grading Introduction

Guatemala Antigua coffee not only features smooth beans with high hardness and excellent quality, but also boasts a perfect balance of rich acidity and sweetness, complemented by a hint of smoky flavor that emphasizes its depth and mystery. Located in the center of North and South America, Guatemala occupies an important position in Central America. The country covers an area of approximately 108,899 square kilometers. Its geographical features can be divided into: highland volcanoes, lowland tropical forests, Pacific coastal volcanic sand plains, and the pristine lands along the Caribbean coast.

The Sierra Madre mountain range of Central America stretches across Guatemala from east to west, covering about two-thirds of the country, with 34 volcanoes within its borders. In this country, rivers and lakes dot the landscape, while equatorial forests and plains jungles cover the earth. There are also undeveloped volcanic beaches along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

Guatemala's coffee ranks among the world's finest coffees, as the country's high-altitude volcanic terrain provides the ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Compared to other coffee varieties, connoisseurs prefer this mixed-flavor coffee with its spicy characteristics. The Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) from this region is a rare excellence—full-bodied, delicious, and with balanced acidity. Additionally, its giant coffee beans have also brought Guatemala considerable attention.

Altitude Grading

Like many other Central American countries, Guatemala has its own coffee growing altitude classifications. The higher the altitude, the slower the growth and maturation. Therefore, the higher the density of the green beans, the higher the quality.

• Prime: Grown at altitudes of 750-900 meters
• Extra Prime: Grown at altitudes of 900-1,050 meters
• Semi Hard Bean: Grown at altitudes of 1,050-1,220 meters
• Hard Bean (HB): Grown at altitudes of 1,220-1,300 meters
• Strictly Hard Bean (SHB): Grown at altitudes exceeding 1,300 meters

In Conclusion

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