Palencia guatemalai specialty arabica filter coffee 1kg

About the Coffee:

This blend is made from coffees sourced from the Palencia region, located in the central highlands of Guatemala, where the departments of Jalapa, Guatemala, and El Progreso meet. The coffee’s unique flavor and aroma reflect the diverse soil types and microclimates of these three areas. Behind this coffee are 119 smallholder farmers certified by IMPACT. IMPACT is Sucafina’s responsible sourcing program, which ensures that the coffee is produced in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. Through IMPACT, farmers gain access to training and resources that help them increase their crop yields and incomes, while also contributing to the conservation of natural resources.

Production:

Palencia’s high elevation, rich volcanic soil, temperate climate, and optimal rainfall combine to create an ideal environment for growing high-quality coffee. The farmers who contributed to this lot primarily grow the Catuai, Caturra, Catimor, Marsellesa, and Pache varieties on their farms. This coffee comes from IMPACT-certified supply chains, which means that farmers prioritize environmentally friendly production methods, limiting the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. IMPACT coffees are deforestation-free and are grown using agricultural practices that preserve biodiversity.

Harvest and Post-Harvest Processing:

In this region of Guatemala, the harvest runs from November through March. Farmers selectively hand-pick the ripe coffee cherries and then remove the outer skin and pulp on their farms. The coffee is then fermented in concrete tanks until the mucilage separates. After fermentation, the parchment is washed with clean water and then dried in direct sunlight in courtyards or on drying beds, where it is regularly turned to ensure even drying.

Coffee in Guatemala:

Guatemala boasts diverse growing regions and conditions that produce coffees of spectacular quality. Today, the country is recognized worldwide as a producer of some of the most flavorful and nuanced coffees. We are proud to bring these coffees to market in collaboration with numerous outstanding local partners. The Guatemalan coffee industry suffered a severe setback due to the emergence of coffee leaf rust (CLR). The epidemic peaked in 2012, and although CLR continues to affect some plantations, Guatemala continues to produce record-breaking, high-quality coffees. In 2017, new and diverse processing methods drove prices to record highs at the Guatemalan Cup of Excellence competition. The overall quality of coffee produced in Guatemala is improving, thanks to the diversity of the industry’s producers. An increasing number of smallholders are producing high-quality coffee at high altitudes. Cooperatives are becoming increasingly attractive to smallholder farmers, as they often provide financing and other support for improving farming and processing practices, and are often able to offer higher prices for coffee beans than middlemen. Many cooperatives have launched quality-improvement training programs for their member farmers and are becoming increasingly adept at helping their members market their coffee as a specialty product.