Our Coffee
Grown at 5,100 to 6,800 feet
in a beautiful mountain
valley, Antigua coffee
presents a cup that perfectly
unites a rich aroma,
pleasing acidity and a full
velvety body.
Grown at 5,100 to 6,800 feet
in a beautiful mountain
valley, Antigua coffee
presents a cup that perfectly
unites a rich aroma,
pleasing acidity and a full
velvety body.
The Antigua Coffee Region
Antigua coffee receives its distinct flavor, fragrance and body from
the rich volcanic soil, low humidity, lots of sun and cool nights.
The valley is dominated by the magnificent volcanoes of Agua,
Acatenango and Fuego. Every once in a while, Fuego-- one of
Guatemala's three active volcanoes-- adds a fresh dusting of
mineral rich ash to Antigua's soil. Volcanic pumice in the soil
retains moisture, which helps offset Antigua's low rainfall, the
lowest of Guatemala's eight coffee regions.
Antigua coffee receives its distinct flavor, fragrance and body from
the rich volcanic soil, low humidity, lots of sun and cool nights.
The valley is dominated by the magnificent volcanoes of Agua,
Acatenango and Fuego. Every once in a while, Fuego-- one of
Guatemala's three active volcanoes-- adds a fresh dusting of
mineral rich ash to Antigua's soil. Volcanic pumice in the soil
retains moisture, which helps offset Antigua's low rainfall, the
lowest of Guatemala's eight coffee regions.
Like all of Guatemala's specialty coffee,
Antigua Coffee is cultivated under shade.
In Antigua, shade is especially dense to
protect the coffee trees from the region's
occasional frost during the chilly nights
from December to February. The dense
shade combined with the region's shallow
water table produces a distinct
micro-climate within the coffee fields.
Antigua Coffee is cultivated under shade.
In Antigua, shade is especially dense to
protect the coffee trees from the region's
occasional frost during the chilly nights
from December to February. The dense
shade combined with the region's shallow
water table produces a distinct
micro-climate within the coffee fields.
Guatemala: Simply the Best
Guatemala is a land of many & varied micro-
climates, with ideal rainfall patterns, high
mountain ranges, and a great diversity of rich
soils. All of these conditions combine to produce
genuine differences in the cup.
Guatemala is a land of many & varied micro-
climates, with ideal rainfall patterns, high
mountain ranges, and a great diversity of rich
soils. All of these conditions combine to produce
genuine differences in the cup.
There are eight coffee growing regions in
Guatemala based on soil type, each producing a
distinctly different coffee. Volcanic soil produces
a coffee that has a pronounced acidity and a
slightly flowery aroma, while coffee that is grown
in the rainforest has a delicate acidity and a
fragrant aroma with a light wine note. The
experienced coffee drinker can determine the
region in which the coffee was grown based on its
color, fragrance, and flavor!
Guatemala based on soil type, each producing a
distinctly different coffee. Volcanic soil produces
a coffee that has a pronounced acidity and a
slightly flowery aroma, while coffee that is grown
in the rainforest has a delicate acidity and a
fragrant aroma with a light wine note. The
experienced coffee drinker can determine the
region in which the coffee was grown based on its
color, fragrance, and flavor!
The Human Value of Guatemalan Coffee
Coffee is a way of life for 70% of Guatemala's population--
65% of which is below the poverty level! From day workers
on the fincas, or plantations, to those who export coffee
around the world, the livelihood of nearly eight million
people depends on some aspect of the coffee industry. The
state of the coffee industry became a growing concern in 1998
when international prices dropped considerably shortly after
hurricane Mitch devastated many of Guatemala's coffee
plantations. The Guatemalan economy began to suffer,
showing its utter dependence on coffee exports.
Coffee is a way of life for 70% of Guatemala's population--
65% of which is below the poverty level! From day workers
on the fincas, or plantations, to those who export coffee
around the world, the livelihood of nearly eight million
people depends on some aspect of the coffee industry. The
state of the coffee industry became a growing concern in 1998
when international prices dropped considerably shortly after
hurricane Mitch devastated many of Guatemala's coffee
plantations. The Guatemalan economy began to suffer,
showing its utter dependence on coffee exports.
Growing and harvesting coffee in Guatemala is a
true art form. Every step of the process depends on
the human touch. Whole families pick coffee beans.
They dedicate their lives to the care of the
plantation. When a bean reaches maturity, it turns
red and looks much like a cranberry. Each one is
handpicked within a narrow window of time
according to color and uniformity. The coffee beans
are actually seeds that are encased in the pulp of the
berry. In order to recover the beans, the berries
true art form. Every step of the process depends on
the human touch. Whole families pick coffee beans.
They dedicate their lives to the care of the
plantation. When a bean reaches maturity, it turns
red and looks much like a cranberry. Each one is
handpicked within a narrow window of time
according to color and uniformity. The coffee beans
are actually seeds that are encased in the pulp of the
berry. In order to recover the beans, the berries
must be de-pulped and strained using a fermentation process. This process involves
soaking the berries in large water tanks until they burst. The berries that float are of an
unacceptable quality and are strained off. The berries that remain continue the process.
Once they burst, the pulp is removed by a high-pressure wash and then the beans are
sun-dried. This process takes several days and requires a lot of intense work by hand.
Each step is carried out according to specific protocols and standards, and the greatest
care is taken to produce the best product.
soaking the berries in large water tanks until they burst. The berries that float are of an
unacceptable quality and are strained off. The berries that remain continue the process.
Once they burst, the pulp is removed by a high-pressure wash and then the beans are
sun-dried. This process takes several days and requires a lot of intense work by hand.
Each step is carried out according to specific protocols and standards, and the greatest
care is taken to produce the best product.
Coffee is not just another product to cultivate, it's part of the
Guatemalan soul, it's the
livelihood of its families, and it
is deeply ingrained in the
culture. Coffee will forever be a
part of the Guatemalan people,
culture and very lives and that
is why we are so motivated to
bring Guatemalan coffee to the
rest of the world!
Guatemalan soul, it's the
livelihood of its families, and it
is deeply ingrained in the
culture. Coffee will forever be a
part of the Guatemalan people,
culture and very lives and that
is why we are so motivated to
bring Guatemalan coffee to the
rest of the world!
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| Contact us for bulk, wholesale, and green coffee pricing. |
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It is said that coffee absorbs the character of the place in which it is
grown. The Mayan people behind Antigua plantations have
perfected their production methods for over 130 years. They believe
in honoring tradition, while striving to achieve better quality. They
also recognize that the artistry that has been passed down through
the generations has assured their place in the gourmet coffee
industry for generations to come.
grown. The Mayan people behind Antigua plantations have
perfected their production methods for over 130 years. They believe
in honoring tradition, while striving to achieve better quality. They
also recognize that the artistry that has been passed down through
the generations has assured their place in the gourmet coffee
industry for generations to come.
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