Guatemala washed Arabica SHB EP Fairtrade (FLO), Organic

Guatemala is a beautiful country in Central America, with rich indigenous culture and stunning natural habitats. The most striking features of its landscape are the 37 volcanoes, several of them still being active. These volcanoes are not only attractive for travelers exploring the country but make up the distinct characters to be found in Guatemalan coffees.

It is believed that coffee was first introduced to Guatemala by the Jesuits around 1740. However, coffee only became a relevant crop after 1856, when the invention of dyes reduced the demand for indigo, which used to be the main cash crop at the time. Today, Guatemala is home to some 125,000 coffee producers who drive the coffee industry in eight different regions. High altitudes and as many as 300 unique microclimates make Guatemala an ideal place to grow varieties such as Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, Pache, and Pacamara. The harvest season typically goes from December until April, depending on the region.

This coffee comes from Quché, situated north-west of the capital Guatemala City. It was produced by farmers working with the Cooperative Vertice del Norte (Covenorte), part of Fedecocagua, an organized larger cooperative working with over 100 cooperatives and coffee-producing associations in Guatemala. Besides being Fairtrade and Organic certified, this washed lot is a worthy representative of the profile we love so much from washed Guatemalan coffees.