Guatemala

Once the land of a great Mayan civilization, Guatemala is now the land thriving coffee plantations. Guatemala coffee has a long coffee history dating back over 200 years. Growing on lands that once were in the heart of the ancient Indian civilization, coffee plants produce beans with an excellent worldwide reputation for quality. Guatemala began the coffee export industry in the late 1800’s. Since then the coffee has become renowned for its gourmet characteristics. This is a true accomplishment in a country that is very small.

The average coffee farm in Guatemala is small, but that has not stopped the farmers from growing highly respected coffee. When you ask people to describe the results of brewing Guatemalan coffee, the words are similar no matter the source. Guatemalan coffee is smooth. The acidity is not too high or too low – it is perfectly balanced. The coffee also has full flavor. Other descriptions that say the same thing using different words include words like “medium body” and “lively acidity”.

Guatemalan specialty coffees like Guatemala Lake Atitlan Coffee, Guatemala Antigua Coffee, or Guatemala Percol coffee are extremely aromatic. The aromas only add to the delightful experience of drinking Guatemalan coffee. On a roasting profile, Guatemalan coffee imports appear under the winey flavor and light body category. As any coffee expert knows, coffees taste very different due to different growing conditions and roasting techniques. The climate and soil in Guatemala is perfect for growing premium coffees.

Gourmet specialty coffees earn their distinction by having world-class characteristics. Gourmet coffees are produced under carefully controlled cultivation and harvesting standards. Gourmet beans are handpicked and sorted in Guatemala before being exported for roasting. Making Guatemalan coffee is the final step in a rigorous program to produce the best coffee possible.

Like all premium coffees, Guatemala coffee is produced from only high quality Arabica beans. It is the Guatemalan growing conditions though that enhance the Arabica bean flavors. Growing in tropical and subtropical conditions, the beans are denser than other coffee beans. The beans are also produced largely in shade, which increases the quality and flavor of the beans because they don’t mature too fast. As an economic necessity for the Guatemalan economy, Guatemalan coffee standards are carefully maintained. After you purchase your coffee, carefully store the beans or ground coffee in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark spot. This will make your coffee stay fresh for a longer period of time.