Guatemala Antigua los Volcanes

Cup of Guatemala Antigua bean

This particular coffee bean has already bean reviewed in the Grower´s Cup, Finest Specialty, Guatemala blog, see link. I will just start by summarize the basics about this beans origin;

This coffee bean is the Antigua “Los Volcanes” from Guatemala, which is a volcanic high grown coffee bean. This 100% Arabica coffee bean is grown at 1.500 m. above sea level and the specific area, where this bean is from offers coffee grown in an altitude of 1.500-1.700 m. above sea level. The Antigua valley is one of the most notorious and eldest growing coffee regions, with volcanoes almost surrounding the area, creating a valley with a shallow water table. The coffee region of Antigua is an enclosed valley formed by three volcanoes, the Agua, Acetenango and Fuego, where the most coffee trees are planted on the valley floor, like this coffee bean, in 1.500 m. above sea level. Some farmers cultivate the slopes of the volcanoes up to 1.700 m. above sea level, which is the highest grown coffee in this specific coffee region.

A more general description of coffee beans from Guatemala, would be that the finest coffees displays rich acidity; often with floral, fruit or spicy flavours. The cup reveals a medium to full body and a complex authority. The most popular regions in Guatemala is Antigua, but other regions are Cobán, Atitlán, Huehuetenango and San Marcos. All these regions can deliver splendid coffees with a large variety of tasting profiles, ranging from sweetly to spicy flavours. Guatemala has also stuck by the traditional botanical varieties of Arabica, meaning that they haven’t introduced hybrids.  

Close up at the brewed Guatemala coffee

The taste of this coffee is at first hand very sweet, with flavours of crisp green able and a dry almond aftertaste. The acidity is present with citrus notes, but it doesn’t dominate the cup, but rather spice it up.  The complete taste experience is round and well balanced and I would definitely buy this bean again.

// Hendrup