About This Coffee
This lot brings together coffees from Palencia in the central hills of Guatemala, where Jalapa, Guatemala and El Progreso departments converge. The coffee’s unique flavor and aroma reflects the diverse soil types and microclimates of these three areas.
Behind this coffee are 119 IMPACT verified smallholder producers. IMPACT is Sucafina's responsible sourcing program, which provides assurance that coffees are produced in environmentally and socially sustainable ways. Through IMPACT, farmers can access trainings and resources to boost their yields and increase their income, while helping them conserve natural resources.
Cultivation
Palencia’s high altitudes, rich volcanic soil, temperate climate and optimal rainfall all combine to create the ideal environment for producing high-quality coffee. Farmers who have contributed to this lot primarily cultivate Catuai, Caturra, Catimor, Marsellesa and Pache varieties on their farms.
This coffee is sourced from IMPACT verified supply chains, which means famers prioritize environmentally conscious production methods with limited application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. IMPACT coffees are deforestation free and are farmed through agricultural practices that sustain biodiversity.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
In this region of Guatemala, the harvest runs from November to March. Contributing farmers selectively handpick ripe coffee cherry and depulp it on their farms to remove the outer skin and fruit. The coffee is then fermented in concrete tanks until the mucilage comes off. After fermentation, parchment is washed in clean water and then dried on patios or drying beds in direct sunlight, where it will be raked regularly to ensure even drying.
European Preparation (EP)
EP stands for European Preparation. EP beans are Screen 15+ with a low defect tolerance.
Strictly Hard Bean (SHB)
Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) specifies the altitude at which the coffee was grown. A coffee must be grown at 1,200 meters above sea level or higher to be considered SHB. The higher altitude and lower temperatures mean that the coffee fruit matures more slowly, creating a denser bean.
Coffee in Guatemala
Guatemala boasts a variety of growing regions and conditions that produce spectacular coffees. Today, the country is revered as a producer of some of the most flavorful and nuanced cups worldwide. We are proud to work with several exceptional in-country partners to bring these coffees to market.
The Guatemalan coffee industry experienced a major setback with the 2010 appearance of Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) in Latin America. The epidemic peaked in severity in 2012, and though CLR continues to affect some farms, Guatemala continues to produce high-quality, record-breaking coffees. In 2017, new and varied processing methods pushed prices at the Guatemalan Cup of Excellence contest to record highs.
The quality of coffee being produced in Guatemala is increasing, overall, due to the diversity of the industry’s producers. There are more and more small holder farmers producing exceptional coffee at high altitudes. Cooperatives are becoming more appealing to so many smallholders because they often offer farmers financing and other support for improving their farming and processing and are frequently able to offer higher prices for cherry than middlemen. Many cooperatives have initiated quality improvement training for farmer members and are becoming more adept at helping members market their coffee as specialty.