About Guatemala

Is located in the northwest of Guatemala, in one of the country 's most elevated and mountainous regions. The average altitude ranges from 1,300 to 1,800 meters above sea level, which favors the production of high-quality coffee due to cool temperatures and intense sunlight in the highlands. Coffee is a vital economic driver in Huehuetenango. Most farmers are smallholders working on family farms, employing traditional washed and sustainable farming techniques. The area has experienced significant growth in the specialty coffee sector, exporting mainly to international markets where demand for high-quality coffee with complex flavor with intense acidity and fruity profiles is rising.

Many producers maintain traditional growing and harvesting methods, including hand-picking in small lots and artisanal processing. Many micro-lots and farms from the region participate in international specialty coffee competitions and fairs, earning recognition for excellence.

The Atitlán Valley is located in southwestern Guatemala, surrounding the famous Lake Atitlán. The farms' altitude ranges from 1,200 to 1,800 meters above sea level, providing ideal conditions for high-quality coffee cultivation, with cool temperatures and good sunlight exposure.  With two volcanoes surrounding Atitlan lakes, it makes the soil rich in minerals and provides different cup profiles.

Coffee cultivation in the Atitlán region began in the mid-20th century when local farmers and small producers saw an economic opportunity in coffee. The region has maintained traditional farming practices influenced by indigenous communities inhabiting the area, including descendants of the K'iche', Kaqchikel, and other ethnic groups. Indigenous communities in Atitlán preserve their ancestral traditions of coffee cultivation, harvesting, and processing.

Cobán is located in the northern highlands of Guatemala, in the Departments of Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz. The altitude in this region ranges from approximately 1,200 to 1,600 meters above sea level.  The Mountain Range of Sierra de las Minas is where the Guatemalan rainforest is located, this provides specific soil and microclimates resulting in a very special cup profile.

The indigenous population of Cobán, including the Q'echi' and other Mayan groups, maintains traditional farming methods, such as manual harvesting and artisanal processing. Many producers blend ancestral knowledge with modern sustainable practices, emphasizing biodiversity conservation and social responsibility. Community-based cooperatives play a significant role in organizing production, quality control, and marketing.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Guatemala experienced increased European immigration, including Germans. The Germans, along with other Europeans, arrived in the region attracted by agricultural opportunities, particularly for coffee cultivation, which was expanding rapidly in Guatemala at that time.  This influence played a significant role in modernizing agriculture in Alta Verapaz, including Cobán. They introduced new farming techniques, crops, and processing methods that helped improve coffee quality and productivity. Many of the modern coffee plantations and processing facilities established in the region today have roots in these early European influences.

Antigua is a historic city located in the central highlands of Guatemala. The coffee-growing regions surrounding Antigua sit at altitudes between 1,500 and 1,700 meters above sea level. Coffee was introduced to Antigua and the surrounding highlands in the late 19th century, rapidly becoming a vital crop for the region. The area's volcanic soils and favorable climate contributed to the high quality of its coffee.  

The volcanoes near Antigua such as Volcán de Agua, Volcán Acatenango, and Volcán Fuego play a crucial role in shaping the region 's coffee quality. Their volcanic soils are highly fertile, rich in minerals that are absorbed by the coffee plants, contributing to the beans' distinctive flavor, body, and complexity. Additionally, these volcanoes create microclimates and influence weather patterns, which help produce the bright acidity and unique profiles characteristic of Antigua coffee.

Acatenango is a region located in Guatemala, surrounding the dormant Acatenango Volcano in the department of Sacatepéquez. The coffee farms in this area are typically cultivated at altitudes between 1,300 and 2,000 meters above sea level.

Coffee cultivation in the Acatenango region began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as part of Guatemala’s broader expansion of coffee agriculture. The fertile volcanic soils and cool mountain air contributed to the region’s reputation for producing exceptional coffee.  Here we can find cup profiles with bright citrus, floral aromas, fruity complexity, and subtle chocolate notes, with a vibrant, balanced body, and aromatic notes.

Fraijanes is a municipality situated in the highlands of Guatemala, near the capital, Guatemala City. The coffee farms in this region are typically cultivated at altitudes ranging from 1,200 to 1,700 meters above sea level.

Coffee cultivation in Fraijanes began in the early 20th century, coinciding with Guatemala’s broader expansion of coffee agriculture. The region’s favorable climate and volcanic soils quickly gained recognition for producing high-quality coffee. Over the decades, Fraijanes has become known for its consistent production of specialty coffee that meets international standards.

Guatemala’s New Oriente region (the eastern part of the country) includes departments such as Santa Rosa, Jalapa, Jutiapa, and parts of Chiquimula. The altitude varies from around 800 to 1,800 meters above sea level, with some areas reaching higher elevations. The region features a diverse range of microclimates and fertile volcanic soils.  

Coffee cultivation in Oriente began in the early 20th century, later than in other Guatemalan regions but rapidly grew due to favorable climatic and soil conditions. Its expansion was driven by smallholders and communities seeking new economic opportunities. Over time, the region has developed a reputation for distinctive, high-quality coffee that differs from other Guatemalan regions due to its unique microclimates and terroirs.