Guatemala Antigua La Flor: A Floral Coffee with Citrus Acidity

If you’ve ever wondered why some Guatemalan coffees smell like a walk through a high-altitude garden yet taste crisp and juicy, the answer might be sitting in a well-preserved Bourbon lot from Antigua. This particular bean delivers exactly that: a floral, tea-like cup with bright citrus and smooth chocolate undertones. But what makes it stand out after a full year in storage? Let’s break down the details.

The Guatemala Antigua La Flor is a lightly roasted, single-origin coffee with a bright cup profile led by citrus acidity and floral aroma. Roast just past first crack with a one-minute glide for best results. Expect jasmine-like floral notes, grapefruit-like acidity, and a silky mouthfeel with chocolatey sweetness.

What Is Guatemala Antigua La Flor?

The Guatemala Antigua La Flor (La Flor del Café) is a single-origin coffee grown in Guatemala’s historic Antigua region. Produced by the Las Pastores beneficio processing facility, it comes primarily from Bourbon variety trees, though small amounts of peaberry may appear. Though harvested in March 2009, the green coffee arrived in excellent condition — with minimal storage defects, no detectable off-odors, and almost zero quakers or visible damage. Its well-preserved state makes it a reliable example of how proper storage extends coffee freshness.

Growing Region & Processing Details

This coffee originates from the Antigua coffee region of Guatemala, a well-known area for producing structured, aromatic SHB (Strictly Hard Bean) coffees thanks to high altitudes and volcanic soils. The beans were processed using a traditional washed method, followed by a unique hybrid drying approach: initial sun drying, then low-temperature finishing. This two-phase drying helps preserve acidity while allowing clean, complex aromatics to develop.

Key production facts:

• Country: Guatemala
• Region: Antigua
• Harvest: March 2009
• Process: Washed, then sun-dried followed by low-temp drying
• Variety: Predominantly Bourbon
• Grade: SHB (Strictly Hard Bean)
• Processing Facility: Las Pastores beneficio
• Defects: Nearly zero; occasional peaberry visible

Flavour Profile & Cup Characteristics

Cupped by Chinese roaster partner Oushe, this coffee was evaluated after roasting to first crack’s midpoint over a 12-minute duration. Even in older roasted form, it shows remarkable balance and clarity. The dry fragrance offers floral notes, clean alpine fir, tea, cantaloupe, almond, herbal and vanilla tones, along with lemon and cream. Wet aromas intensify with notes of caramel, stone fruit, stone flower, dark cherry, honey, and herbal mint.

The cup itself delivers a creamy mouthfeel, vivid citrus (grapefruit-like), red wine acidity, layered with nuts, chocolate, and floral linger. Acidity is refined and multidimensional, with a long sweet finish featuring chocolatey and fruity nuances. The aftertaste holds oily richness balanced by lingering stone fruit sweetness and floral scent.

Cupping notes include:

• Dry Fragrance: Flower, alpine fir, tea, melon, almond, floral/herbal, vanilla, lemon, cream
• Wet Aroma: Alpine wood, caramel, melon, floral, hazelnut-chocolate, oolong tea, plum, melissa, almond-caramel, honey
• Cup: Creamy mouthfeel, tea-like clarity, grapefruit acidity, red wine tone, nutty chocolate, complex acidity, lasting floral scent, sweet finish with chocolate-nut and fruit tones

How to Roast Guatemala Antigua La Flor

For best results, roast this SHB Bourbon coffee just past the start of first crack, allowing a full one-minute development phase after the first cracks subside. That means finishing the roast roughly one minute into the post-first-crack window. This approach balances sweetness, acidity, and body without overdeveloping the cup.

Key roast parameters observed:

• End of First Crack: Begin development phase
• Development Time: ~1 minute
• Recommended Roast Level: Light-to-medium (city+ to full city)
• Total Roast Duration: ~12 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Guatemala Antigua La Flor coffee taste like?

This coffee features a bright, tea-like cup with prominent citrus acidity (reminiscent of grapefruit), layered floral notes (like jasmine), and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. The flavour includes red wine-like brightness, nutty chocolate, and hints of dried stone fruit, with a clean, sweet finish. The aftertaste lingers with both floral and chocolatey richness.

Where is the Guatemala Antigua La Flor coffee from?

It is grown in Guatemala’s Antigua region, a high-altitude area known for producing structured, aromatic coffees. The lot comes from the Las Pastores beneficio processing site and is primarily Bourbon variety, with some peaberry present.

How should I roast Guatemala Antigua La Flor?

Roast the coffee just past the beginning of first crack, then allow about one minute of development time before dropping. This light-to-medium roast (around city+ to full city level) enhances its floral and citrus characteristics while maintaining balance.

What is the processing method used for La Flor del Café?

The coffee is processed using a washed method followed by a hybrid drying technique: initial sun drying is followed by low-temperature finishing. This helps enhance clarity and preserve delicate aromas.

Does this coffee still taste good after being roasted in the previous year?

Yes. Despite being roasted in 2009 (likely meaning the harvest year), the green beans were stored well, showing no off smells and almost no defects. When roasted properly, it still delivers a bright, clean, and complex cup.

What grind size and brew methods work best for this coffee?

While the article doesn’t specify grind settings, this light-to-medium roasted coffee performs well as pour-over (e.g., V60 or Kalita Wave), AeroPress, or French press. A medium-fine grind is typical for pour-over to highlight its citrus and floral notes.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Floral & Citrus Lovers

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Gedeb for a bright, citrus-forward cup with pronounced floral and berry notes — a great companion to the floral profile of Guatemala Antigua La Flor. For something juicier, their Ethiopia Humbera offers explosive tropical fruit and florals with a silky body. Both are light-roasted single origins that share a vibrant acidity and aromatic complexity. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.