Guatemala, the Global Coffee producer

Guatemala, the Global Coffee producer

Guatemala coffee once enjoyed a reputation as the best quality coffee in the world, but its quality also declined for a time. What is gratifying, however, is that its reputation is gradually being restored.

In 1750, Father Jesuit introduced coffee trees to Guatemala, where the coffee industry was developed by German colonists at the end of the 19th century. Today, most of the coffee industry's production takes place in the south of the country. Here, the slopes of SierraMadre volcano provide ideal conditions for growing high-quality coffee beans, and coffee growing at high altitudes is full of vitality. Compared with other kinds of coffee, critics prefer this mixed flavor coffee with spicy flavor. The extra hard coffee beans here are a rare good coffee with full grains, delicious taste and balanced acidity. In addition, its giant coffee beans have attracted a lot of attention in Guatemala.

The coffee industry, which once boomed the country, still dominates the national economy. Unfortunately, the domestic political situation is not good for coffee growers. High output is usually a sign of a country's overall economic prosperity. However, coffee production in Guatemala has declined relatively, at 700kg per hectare, while that in El Salvador is 900kg per hectare and that in Costa Rica is even more astonishing, at 1700 kg per hectare. The export of Guatemalan coffee is controlled by private companies, but the National Coffee Council (Asociacion Nacional de Cafe) controls other sectors of the coffee industry. At present, some of the best quality coffee from Guatemala is exported to Japan, where each cup of coffee sells for $3 to $4.

Most small-scale producers are descendants of the Mayan, who like to be called locals. Currently, they are also benefiting from a U.S.-funded project, known locally as The Project, which plans to invest $2.5 million to encourage the opening of small, high-quality coffee plantations. The main areas rich in high-quality coffee in Guatemala are Lake Attilan (Lake Atitlan) and Uuehuentenango. The purpose of the project is to help overcome the vicious cycle of high yield and low quality that afflicts the world coffee industry. For example, Bourbon trees grow taller and produce fewer beans than the new dwarf trees, and although they all belong to Arabica coffee varieties, bourbon trees produce better beans and are more popular with gourmets. The project also hopes to encourage local producers to process their own coffee beans, as most coffee fruits are now sold to middlemen, and if coffee processing can be done in local factories, its value and even quality may be improved.

Coffee tree ◆ on the west coast of Guatemala

Antigua (Antigua) is also a famous producer of coffee. Antigua coffee is produced in Hacienda Carmona, where the best quality coffee is EL Pulcal, which is not only of good quality, but also has a stronger flavor, richer taste and stronger tobacco flavor than other Guatemalan coffee. Every 30 years or so, the area near Antigua is hit by a volcanic eruption, which provides more nitrogen to the already fertile land, and plenty of rainfall and sunlight make the place more suitable for growing coffee.

Other coffee producers include San Marco, Oriente & Coban, Palcya, Mataquescuintia and La Uman in Zacapa. The establishment of the Special Coffee Association means that the Government of Guatemala has begun to pay attention to high-quality coffee, and the efforts made for it will soon bear fruit.

Flavor: full-bodied, rich and attractive taste

Suggested baking method: medium, can also be deep baking

Evaluation: excellent

Guatemalan coffee flavor

1. Particles: 4 stars

2. Acidity: 4 stars

3. Equilibrium: 4 stars