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Is It Normal for Guatemalan Coffee Beans to Have a Smoky Flavor? Solutions for Smoky Taste in Coffee Roasting

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, If a coffee exhibits a smoky taste, it is generally considered a flawed coffee with undesirable flavors. When determining which step in the process from cultivation to brewing went wrong, roasting is the most likely culprit. During the roasting process, as the internal temperature gradually increases, moisture in the coffee beans continuously evaporates, and some of the silver skin

When coffee exhibits smoky flavors, it is generally considered a defective coffee with undesirable flavors.

To determine which step in the process from cultivation to brewing went wrong, the most likely culprit would be the roasting. During roasting, as the temperature inside the drum gradually increases, moisture continuously evaporates from the coffee beans, and some of the silver skin falls off, producing smoke.

At this point, it's necessary to open the air damper wider to increase air convection, expelling the fallen silver skin and smoke. If the air damper isn't increased, this smoke will linger inside the drum and seep into the coffee beans. Consequently, we will taste smoky flavors in the coffee. This flavor is quite noticeable, pungent, and uncomfortable for the throat, which is why it's classified as a defective flavor.

However, not all smoky flavors are defective flavors caused by roasting. About two years ago, a middle-aged gentleman walked into FrontStreet Coffee. Through conversation, I learned that he had previously conducted business in Colombia and Venezuela, returning to China to develop his career due to changes in the business environment. He developed a love for drinking coffee while in Colombia, having exclusively consumed coffee roasted by a local roaster. Even after returning to China, he would have friends bring it back for him.

However, due to the pandemic, coffee from there could no longer be shipped, leaving him craving for it! Later, through friends, he learned that FrontStreet Coffee offers a wide variety of beans, so he came to search for his favorite. "I'm not sure about the specific region, but the flavor is quite distinctive—it has an old tobacco pipe aroma. At that time, I especially enjoyed smoking while drinking that coffee, it was so satisfying..."

The coffee beans this gentleman was referring to were from Guatemala. The smoky flavor in Guatemalan coffee beans is neither due to special processing methods nor caused by roasting mistakes. Instead, it's related to the local terroir.

Guatemala's landscape is characterized by tropical rainforests, volcanic soil, highland valleys, and over 300 microclimates. This has resulted in the diverse flavors of Guatemalan coffee beans, allowing you to experience citrus acidity, lemon peel fragrance, nutty notes, and smoky flavors (tobacco) all in the same cup.

The smoky flavor in Guatemalan coffee isn't the kind that's harsh or irritating; rather, it's subtle, like the light aroma of burning tobacco leaves, which is why friends who enjoy smoking particularly like coffee from this region. This is also evident in the Cup of Excellence competition for Guatemala in 2021, where descriptions of smoky flavors could be found.

FrontStreet Coffee also offers two Guatemalan coffee beans, from the Huehuetenango and Antigua regions respectively.

The Huehuetenango region is not within a volcanic area. Although it lacks the high-mineral volcanic soil, it benefits from high altitude, dry climate, and abundant water sources, making it ideal for growing high-density coffee beans. The acidity of Huehuetenango coffee is quite lively, often exhibiting citrus-like acidity with a fresh hint of lemon peel. It also carries the characteristic smoky flavor and nutty aroma of Guatemalan coffee. FrontStreet Coffee believes that while this bean may not be exceptional, it fully represents the flavor profile of Guatemala, which is why it has become FrontStreet Coffee's daily Guatemalan offering.

The Antigua region, on the other hand, is located within a volcanic zone. The rich volcanic soil and significant day-night temperature differences give the coffee from this area strong aroma and sweetness. FrontStreet Coffee offers La Minita Estate's Flor de Café beans, a plantation renowned for its strict high standards in cultivation, processing techniques, and quality control. Therefore, in terms of quality, it can be considered among the first tier in the Antigua region.

The smoky flavor in this coffee bean is not strong, but rather subtle and fleeting. The fruity sweet and sour notes are very pronounced, accompanied by a rich, full-bodied texture.