Los Andes (Guatemala)

Tasting this natural process is like drinking fruit punch, almost like a burst of sugary nectar to the taste buds. The fragrance alone can jolt the olfactories and the brewed cup is luscious. Blueberry juiciness precedes a tropical fruit, guava-like acidity that levels off into a cooling finish with notes of rooibos tea… yum yum!

I could easily make a pun about this being one fantastic “cup of java,” but I will imply it instead. Last year I missed out on this coffee, but this year I was fortunate enough to reserve some! I love it for two reasons:

1. The Java variety shares a close genetic relationship with Ethiopian landrace varieties. Its flavors are akin to coffee normally grown in Africa, which is somewhat rare in Central America.

2. It is naturally processed, a technique that’s more commonly implemented in Africa than in Central America. 

These two factors alongside excellent agricultural practices at Los Andes farm make for a stunning result in the cup!

Peaking at ~1,600m, the family-owned-and-operated farm is part of a nature reserve located on the skirts of the Atitlán Volcano. There are many other crops grown on this farm in addition to coffee, but 60% of it remains an uncultivated forest. Native plant and animal species are protected throughout the reserve. This community, composed of 48 families, has a school, a clinic, a joint savings/credit program, and a clean source of energy. One member of the Los Andes farming family, Olga Hazard, is also a founding member of the Guatemalan Women in Coffee Association. She is well-respected for her contributions of support and knowledge within the industry. This is the second time I have purchased coffee from Los Andes and the quality speaks for itself! I am continually blown away by the excellent offerings that Terra Negra Coffee Imports presents from each Guatemalan harvest.