Guatemala Coffee | Introduction to New Oriental Region Geisha Coffee Beans

Coffee is cultivated in multiple countries across various continents worldwide. In Central America, numerous countries grow coffee, including Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras. Among these, Guatemala is renowned for its high-quality, high-altitude Strictly Hard Beans (SHB) and has become the world's ninth-largest coffee-producing nation.

Guatemala

Guatemala is located in the southern part of North America, bordering Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and El Salvador, with the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Two-thirds of Guatemala's territory consists of mountains and plateaus. The western region features the Cuchumatanes mountain range, while the southern region contains the Sierra Madre mountains, both belonging to volcanic zones, with the country boasting 37 volcanoes.

Guatemala is situated in the tropical zone. The northern and eastern coastal regions have a tropical rainforest climate, while the southern mountainous areas experience a subtropical climate. The wet season spans from May to October, and the dry season runs from November to April. Coffee beans are typically grown in high-altitude regions between 1,300-1,800 meters, where temperatures remain moderate throughout the year, ranging from 18°C to 28°C. January and February are usually colder months, with annual rainfall in the northeastern region reaching 2,000-3,000 millimeters. The combination of high altitude, volcanic soil, significant day-night temperature variations, abundant rainfall, and diverse microclimates imparts Guatemalan coffee beans with elegant and lively acidity, clean mouthfeel, and distinctly layered flavor profiles.

Nuevo Oriente Growing Region

Among Guatemala's 22 departments, 20 grow coffee. Eight of these regions are particularly notable, divided into five volcanic and three non-volcanic growing areas, with coffee cultivation averaging above 1,500 meters in altitude. The non-volcanic regions include Huehuetenango, Cobán, and Nuevo Oriente. The volcanic regions comprise Atitlán, Antigua, Acatenango, Fraijanes, and San Marcos. Among these, Huehuetenango and Antigua are especially famous. FrontStreet Coffee offers a washed-process Guatemala Huehuetenango coffee bean as an introductory selection, featuring light fruit acidity with citrus, berry, and nut flavors, a smooth aftertaste, and tea-like finish.

The Nuevo Oriente region is located in eastern Guatemala, near Honduras, and is the youngest coffee-producing area, with coffee cultivation beginning here only in the 1950s. This region receives abundant rainfall year-round and has high elevations ranging from 1,500-2,050 meters, resulting in frequent mist and shorter sunshine hours, making it more humid than other growing regions. Nuevo Oriente was once one of Guatemala's poorest and most isolated areas. Although this region was volcanic in ancient times, it has resulted in soil rich in minerals. Combined with abundant rainfall and high altitude, the coffee beans produced here exhibit exceptionally complex and varied flavor profiles.

Geisha Variety

In the 1930s, the Geisha variety was discovered in the forests of Ethiopia. Noted for its resistance to coffee leaf rust, it was introduced to several countries before being discovered by the owner of Hacienda La Esmeralda in Panama. The Geisha variety participated in the 2005 Best of Panama (BOP) competition, winning first place with its delicate floral aromas, jasmine fragrance, peach and bergamot flavors, and exceptionally high scores. It also broke the record for coffee bean auction prices, selling for over $20 per pound, bringing Geisha coffee beans to international prominence. This success inspired numerous countries to introduce Geisha for local cultivation, with Guatemala being among them.

The Geisha coffee plant variety features thin, elongated leaves with green or bronze tips on young leaves. Its branches are slender and widely spaced. The coffee cherries are mainly red or yellow, and the green beans are typically elongated with a pointed shape. The overall plant is relatively large but fragile. While it has some resistance to coffee leaf rust, it is susceptible to nematodes and coffee berry disease. It thrives when planted at altitudes above 1,600 meters, with quality improving at higher elevations.

FrontStreet Coffee Guatemala Nuevo Oriente Geisha Coffee Beans

Region: Nuevo Oriente
Altitude: 1,500-2,050 meters
Variety: Geisha
Processing: Honey Process
Flavor: White floral notes, sweet orange, bergamot, honey, toffee

FrontStreet Coffee's Nuevo Oriente Geisha undergoes honey processing and is lightly to medium-roasted. FrontStreet Coffee recommends brewing with V60 using a 1:15 ratio at 92°C water temperature. This brewing method reveals delicate white floral aromas, with light fruit acidity upon tasting. You'll experience sweet orange and bergamot flavors, along with toffee-like sweetness. The mouthfeel is smooth and honey-like, offering richly layered complexity throughout the tasting experience.

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