Guatemala | Introduction to Selected Coffee Beans from Coffee Growing Regions

Guatemala

In the Americas, there is a country that was one of the centers of ancient Mayan culture. This country is the Republic of Guatemala (La República de Guatemala), which has a total area of 108,900 square kilometers and is divided into 22 provinces.

Guatemala is located in the southern part of the North American continent and is a country with both land and sea territories. To the west and north, it borders Mexico; to the northeast, Belize; and to the southeast, Honduras and El Salvador. To the east lies the Gulf of Honduras along the Caribbean Sea, and to the south, it borders the Pacific Ocean. Guatemala has a coastline of about 500 kilometers, and forests cover 38% of the country's area.

The Guatemalan flag consists of three parallel equal vertical rectangles, with white in the middle symbolizing the pursuit of peace, and blue on both sides symbolizing the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. In the center of the white rectangle is the country's coat of arms, which is circular in shape with an opened scroll in the middle. The scroll has "September 15, 1821, Freedom" written in Spanish to commemorate Guatemala's independence from Spanish colonial rule. Additionally, standing on the scroll is the national bird of Guatemala, a green quetzal, also known as the "Bird of Freedom," symbolizing liberty, patriotism, and friendship. Behind the scroll are crossed rifles and swords, symbolizing the people's constant readiness to defend their country's freedom.

Two-thirds of Guatemala's territory consists of mountains and plateaus. The western region has the Cuchumatanes mountain range, and the southern region has the Sierra Madre mountains, both belonging to volcanic belts. The country has 37 volcanoes, among which the Tajumulco volcano, at an altitude of 4,211 meters, is the highest peak in Central America. The northern part is mainly the Petén lowlands, which are tropical rainforests, while the main cities are located in the mountainous basins of the south.

Guatemala is situated in the tropics. The northern and eastern coastal regions have a tropical rainforest climate, while the southern mountainous regions have a subtropical climate. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry season from November to April of the following year. Coffee beans are generally grown in high-altitude areas, where the climate is mild year-round at altitudes between 1,300-1,800 meters, with perceived temperatures between 18°C-28°C. January and February are typically colder, with rainfall concentrated mainly in the northeastern region, with annual precipitation of 2,000-3,000 millimeters. High altitude, volcanic soil, large day-night temperature differences, abundant rainfall, and variable microclimates give Guatemalan coffee beans elegant and lively acidity, a clean taste, and distinct layered coffee flavors.

Coffee Growing Regions

Among Guatemala's 22 provinces, 20 grow coffee. Eight of these regions are particularly well-known, divided into five volcanic regions and three non-volcanic regions, with coffee cultivation at an average altitude of over 1,500 meters. The non-volcanic regions include Huehuetenango, Cobán, and Nuevo Oriente. The volcanic regions include Atitlán, Antigua, Acatenango, Fraijanes, and San Marcos.

Huehuetenango: Huehuetenango is a non-volcanic coffee region in Guatemala and one of the highest altitude regions, with coffee grown at altitudes of 1,800-2,100 meters. The name comes from the Nahuatl language, meaning "land of the ancients (or ancestors)." Huehuetenango is located in the western part of the country, at the foot of the Cuchumatanes mountain range, which is the highest non-volcanic mountain range in Central America. Because hot air from the Tehuantepec tropical plains of Mexico blows toward this mountain range, coffee in this region is protected from frost and can be grown at higher altitudes. Additionally, the area has many rivers and water bodies, making it an ideal growing region for cultivating high-quality coffee.

Cobán: Cobán is located in the central part of Guatemala and is an important coffee cultivation center. This region belongs to the rainforest area with a tropical rainforest climate, characterized by year-round cloudiness, fog, abundant rainfall, and cool weather. The local soil composition is rich in limestone and clay, and most coffee is grown on hilly terrain at altitudes of 1,300-1,500 meters. Due to weather conditions, there are relatively few natural (dry-processed) beans in this area, with washed processing being the main method.

Nuevo Oriente: The Nuevo Oriente region is located in eastern Guatemala, near Honduras, and is one of the youngest coffee regions, with coffee cultivation beginning here only in the 1950s. This area has abundant rainfall year-round and high altitudes of approximately 1,500-2,050 meters, resulting in constant mist and relatively short sunshine hours, making it more humid than other regions. Nuevo Oriente was once one of the poorest and most isolated areas in Guatemala. Although this area was a volcanic region in ancient times, it resulted in soil rich in minerals. Combined with abundant rainfall and high altitude, the coffee beans produced here have quite complex and variable flavor changes. FrontStreet Coffee offers a honey-processed Geisha coffee bean from the Nuevo Oriente region, which has white floral aromas, with flavors of sweet orange and bergamot upon entry, a toffee-like sweetness, and a honey-like smooth texture.

Atitlán: Atitlán is located in Guatemala City in central Guatemala. The region's name comes from the country's largest volcanic lake, Lake Atitlán, which is surrounded by three volcanoes. The volcanic soil provides rich minerals, and most coffee trees are planted on volcanic slopes at altitudes of 1,500-1,700 meters.

Antigua: The Antigua region is surrounded by three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. Most coffee is grown in the heart of the valley at altitudes of 1,500-1,700 meters. Due to the active Fuego volcano, humidity can be maintained at 65% year-round. Shade-growing is primarily used, which protects coffee trees from frost damage during cold weather. The dense shade and extremely shallow groundwater table create a unique microclimate, which, combined with fertile volcanic soil and appropriate humidity, gives Antigua region coffee bright acidity and fruity notes.

FrontStreet Coffee - Guatemala Huehuetenango Washed Coffee Beans
Region: Huehuetenango
Altitude: 1,500-2,000 meters
Varieties: Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai
Processing: Washed
Flavor: Citrus, Lemon, Berries, Nuts, Tea-like notes

FrontStreet Coffee's Guatemala Huehuetenango coffee beans are processed using the washed method and are medium roasted. FrontStreet Coffee uses a V60 brewer with a 1:15 ratio and 91°C water temperature for brewing. Upon entry, there's a slight fruity acidity, and as the temperature slightly decreases, citrus, berry, and nut flavors gradually emerge in the mouth. The texture is smooth, with a tea-like aftertaste.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473