Coastal Coffee Collective
Guatemala, Union Cantinil
| TASTE NOTES | English breakfast, black currant, citrus |
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PROCESS
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Washed |
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ELEVATION
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1300 - 2000 masl
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REGION
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Huehuetenango |
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VARIETALS
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Bourbon, Caturai, Typica
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ROAST LEVEL
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2/6
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ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Asociacion de Apicultores y Caficultores de Union Cantinil (AAPICUC) was founded in 2011 to help producers cultivate organic coffee in an environmentally-sustainable way. Members cultivate coffee on small farms, about 3 hectares on average at high altitudes between 1,300 and 2,000 meters above sea level.
AAPICUC members are both coffee producers and beekeepers. In fact, beekeeping works in tandem with coffee production. Coffee trees are self-pollinating, meaning they do not need bees or birds to help them pollinate but, bees can help increase total production by as much as 20 to 25%.
Huehuetenango is well-known for its high altitude and consistent weather patterns. The region lies at a nexus of hot air sweeping eastwards from the Plains of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca, Mexico and cool air rushing down from the Cuchumantanes Mountains. The meeting of this hot and cold air creates a microclimate that keeps frost in check and enables coffee cultivation at higher altitudes: coffee production at 2,000 meters above sea level is common. These conditions are perfect for producing the sparkling acidity and distinctive fruit flavors of the region.