Guatemala washed Arabica SHB EP Organic San Marcos Region

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 is sourced from San Marcos, located in the southwest of Guatemala. It is the warmest of the country's eight coffee-growing regions but also experiences the highest rainfall patterns. The seasonal rains arrive earlier than in other regions, leading to the earliest flowering. Due to the unpredictable rainfall during the harvest season, much of the coffee is pre-dried in the sun before being finished in a Guardiola dryer.

Certified Organic, this lot was produced by members of two cooperatives: Cooperativa Integral Agricola Cocolense, R.A. and Cooperativa Integral Vértice del Norte R.L. Both cooperatives are part of Fedecocagua, a larger organization working with over 100 cooperatives and coffee-producing associations in Guatemala.