Guatemala SL28 Natural Process from Guava Plain Estate

Ever bought a bag of "New Oriente" Guatemalan coffee, only to get a bland blend with no traceability? Many so-called New Oriente coffees are bulk lots from multiple farms, stripped of origin character and mixed well before export. But what if you could taste a single-origin SL28 coffee grown at high altitude in the easternmost part of Guatemala, processed as a unique winey natural, with real traceability and clear varietal character?

The answer is yes—and FrontStreet Coffee’s latest micro-lot from Guatemala’s Guava Plain Estate delivers just that. This 2024 SL28 natural process coffee offers intense tropical fruit and wine-like depth, with documented processing details and farm-level sourcing.

The Rise of Traceable Micro-Lots in Guatemala’s New Oriente

The New Oriente region lies in Guatemala’s far east, bordering Honduras—far from the well-trodden paths near Antigua or Huehuetenango. Historically, coffee from here was sold as a bulk SHB (Strictly Hard Bean) grade under the generic “New Oriente” label, with no farm identity or quality control. Farmers had little incentive to improve processing or maintain varietal purity. That began to change when international buyers started working directly with estates like Guava Plain to develop custom micro-lots with defined processing methods and traceable origins.

Guava Plain Estate: A Family Farm Since 1990

Guava Plain Estate (Finca PlandelGuayabo) sits at 1,675 metres above sea level near the Volcán Suchitán in Guatemala’s New Oriente region. The name “Guava Plain” comes from the abundance of guava trees in the area. The Donado family, led by Mr. Benjamin Donado, has been producing coffee here since 1990. Over the past two decades, they’ve focused on high-quality, varietal-specific production using a range of processing methods. Before their involvement, few local farmers grew coffee at such high altitudes or on such steep terrain.

This estate now collaborates with specialty importers to create small, custom batches, including both washed and natural lots. These micro-lots allow targeted quality goals, with agreed purchase prices and defined harvest standards—key incentives for farmers to invest in innovation.

The SL28 Winey Natural: Processing & Flavour Profile

The lot featured here is the SL28 variety, a rare coffee plant more commonly associated with Kenya and Ethiopia, but now being tested in Central America. For this 2024 crop, the Guava Plain team produced a winey (fermento-style) natural process in collaboration with a specialty buyer. The processing included careful attention to harvest standards and controlled drying on patios, with regular turning over a set number of days—all communicated directly between buyer and producer.

The resulting cup is remarkably expressive. Flavour notes include pineapple, dried apricot, red wine, muscatel grape, starfruit, sugar-lemon zest, green tea, and cinnamon spice. There’s a rich sweetness throughout, supported by a smoky prune-like backbone. The winey character is not overpowering but adds complexity and depth typical of extended skin contact or elevated fermentation profiles—though the exact fermentation style is not specified beyond “winey natural.”

Key details:

• Country: Guatemala
• Region: New Oriente
• Estate: Guava Plain Estate
• Producer: Mr. Benjamin Donado
• Variety: SL28
• Processing: Winey natural (fermento-style natural)
• Altitude: 1,675m
• Flavour notes: Pineapple, dried apricot, red wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Guava Plain Estate and where is it located?

Guava Plain Estate (Finca PlandelGuayabo) is a coffee farm in Guatemala’s New Oriente region, near the Volcán Suchitán. The name means “Guava Plain” due to the many guava trees in the area. It sits at 1,675 metres above sea level.

Who produces the SL28 winey natural coffee from Guava Plain?

The coffee is produced by Mr. Benjamin Donado, whose family has managed the estate since 1990. The farm focuses on high-quality, varietal-specific coffees and custom micro-lots.

What is an SL28 coffee variety and is it common in Guatemala?

SL28 is a coffee variety originally from Kenya, known for its outstanding cup quality and ability to express complex fruit flavours. It is rare in Guatemala and considered a speciality varietal there.

How is the winey natural process different from regular natural process?

A winey natural (sometimes called fermento-style natural) typically involves careful attention to fruit drying and may include extended skin contact or controlled fermentation to enhance wine-like characteristics. In this case, the producer and buyer coordinated on harvest and drying practices to achieve that profile.

What does this coffee taste like?

Flavour notes include pineapple, dried apricot, red wine, muscatel grape, starfruit, sugar-lemon zest, green tea, and cinnamon. The cup is sweet overall with a smoky prune-like richness.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Natural Process Fans

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui , a naturally processed Ethiopian coffee with intense floral and fruity tones, or their Brazil Queen Manor, which highlights a sweet, nutty profile with pronounced raisin and chocolate notes. Both offer distinct natural-process characteristics that parallel the fruit-forward depth of the Guava Plain SL28. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.