Guatemalan SL28 Natural Process Coffee from Guava Plain Estate

If you’ve ever tasted a coffee that smells like red wine and tastes like dried apricots and pineapple, you’ve likely had a natural-processed SL28. But where does such a distinctive cup come from? This article takes you to a lesser-known corner of Guatemala where one estate is redefining what coffee from the New Oriente region can be.

The Guava Plain Estate in Guatemala’s New Oriente region grows SL28 at 1675 metres above sea level, processes it using a winey natural method, and produces a cup with notes of pineapple, dried apricot, and red wine.

Where Is the Guava Plain Estate?

The Guava Plain Estate—Plan del Guayabo in Spanish—sits near the Volcán de Suchitán in Guatemala’s New Oriente region. The name “Guava Plain” comes from the abundance of guava trees in the area. This high-altitude zone, part of Guatemala’s volcanic highlands, offers the stable rainfall and rich volcanic soils ideal for coffee cultivation. The estate is owned and managed by Mr. Benjamin Donado, whose family has been producing coffee here since 1990.

Why Is New Oriente Different Now?

New Oriente used to be known for bulk, untraceable SHB coffee collected by middlemen and blended in Esquipulas. That all changed as more producers, including Mr. Donado, began focusing on traceability and unique processing methods. Instead of selling anonymous lots, they now produce small-batch, variety-specific coffees with distinct flavour profiles—and the Guava Plain Estate is leading that shift.

The SL28 Variety at High Altitude

The estate grows the renowned SL28 variety, a Kenyan-origin cultivar prized for its high acidity and complex fruit flavours, especially when grown at elevation. At 1675m, the cooler temperatures slow ripening, allowing sugars and acids to develop fully. This contributes to the winey character and intense fruitiness found in the cup.

What Is Winey Natural Processing?

The coffee is processed using a winey natural (or winey anaerobic natural) method. In this technique, ripe coffee cherries are dried with the fruit still intact, often with some level of controlled fermentation that enhances fruity and wine-like qualities. While the exact fermentation parameters aren’t disclosed here, the result is a coffee with pronounced fermentation notes, alongside bright tropical and dried fruit flavours.

Flavour Profile: What to Expect

Coffees from this lot typically present flavours of pineapple, dried apricot , and red wine. These notes reflect both the SL28 variety and the winey natural processing, offering a sweet, fruity, and complex cup that stands out in single-origin offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Guava Plain Estate located?

The Guava Plain Estate is in Guatemala’s New Oriente region, near the Volcán de Suchitán. The Spanish name “Plan del Guayabo” translates to “Guava Plain,” referring to the many guava trees cultivated in the area.

Who owns the Guava Plain Estate?

The estate is owned by Mr. Benjamin Donado, whose family has been producing coffee there since 1990. Previously, local farmers were unfamiliar with coffee cultivation at such high altitudes and on steep slopes, but the Donado family has since established the farm as a source of high-quality, traceable specialty coffee.

What coffee variety is grown at Guava Plain Estate?

The estate grows the SL28 variety, which originates from Kenya. It is well known for performing exceptionally well at high altitudes and for producing bright, complex cups with high acidity and strong fruit character.

How is the coffee processed?

The coffee is processed using a winey natural (or winey anaerobic natural) method, where ripe cherries are dried with the fruit still on the bean. This enhances fermentation-derived flavours, contributing to the winey aroma and fruity taste profile.

What flavours can I expect from this coffee?

This coffee typically exhibits flavours of pineapple, dried apricot, and red wine. These are common tasting notes for SL28 processed naturally at high altitudes, especially with extended fruit contact during drying.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Natural Process Fans

For coffee lovers drawn to the winey, fruity profile of the Guava Plain SL28, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui , a natural-processed Ethiopian lot with delicate floral aromas, mango, and citrus, or their Yirgacheffe natural (Red Cherry), which highlights tropical fruit and fermented sweetness. Both offer the bright, juicy complexity that natural-processing highlights. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.