Guatemala Guava Plains SL28 Natural and Washed Coffee Beans

When you’re hunting for distinctive single-origin coffees with bold fruit and wine-like complexity, microlots from lesser-known regions often deliver. But those rare lots depend on close grower-roaster collaboration to reach your cup. Such is the story behind the latest SL28 microlots from Guatemala’s remote Guava Plains Estate in the country’s far-eastern New Oriental region.

The Guava Plains Estate introduced both a washed and a natural (sun-dried) SL28 lot this year. Both are custom microlots developed in partnership with FrontStreet Coffee, focusing on specific flavours and processing methods — including targeted harvest standards and controlled drying times for the natural lot.

Where Is Guava Plains Estate?

Guava Plains Estate sits in Guatemala’s New Oriental region, the country’s easternmost coffee-growing area. Unlike Antigua, which lies just an hour from the capital, New Oriental stretches all the way to the Honduran border. This remoteness means fewer commercial routes — but also untapped potential for unique microlots like this SL28.

The SL28 Microlots: Washed and Natural

This year’s offering includes two SL28 microlots: a washed version (previously released in small quantities last year) and a new natural (sun-dried) process batch with pronounced winey tones. Both were grown in partnership with the estate, using custom protocols to achieve specific flavour goals. SL28 is still a rare variety in Central America, adding to the lot’s exclusivity.

Flavour Profile: Natural Process Sun-Dried SL28

The standout of the two is the natural processed SL28. It presents a complex array of aromas and tastes: pineapple, cantaloupe, dried apricot, candied lemon peel, Bordeaux wine, green tea, cinnamon spice, and a deep base of smoky black plum. The cup is sweet overall, with rich, wine-like intensity and a full-bodied mouthfeel.

Why Custom Microlots Matter

Custom microlots like these are key to advancing innovation in specialty coffee. By agreeing on pricing and processing details upfront, roasters provide farmers with the incentive and security to experiment. In this case, FrontStreet Coffee worked directly with the estate to define harvest standards and sun-drying practices — resulting in a lot that meets exact flavour, quality, and innovation targets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Guava Plains Estate?

Guava Plains Estate is a coffee farm located in Guatemala’s New Oriental region, the country’s farthest-eastern coffee zone, bordering Honduras. It is remote and less commercially developed than regions like Antigua, making it ideal for producing unique microlots.

What SL28 coffee lots were introduced this year?

This year, FrontStreet Coffee and Guava Plains Estate released both a washed and a natural (sun-dried) SL28 microlot. The natural process version features winey and fruity characteristics, while the washed version has been produced in smaller quantities since last year.

What does the natural process SL28 taste like?

The natural SL28 has a sweet, winey profile with notes of pineapple, cantaloupe, dried apricot, candied lemon peel, Bordeaux wine, green tea, cinnamon, and smoky black plum. It has a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel and intense sweetness.

Why are custom microlots important in specialty coffee?

Custom microlots allow roasters and farmers to collaborate on processing methods, harvest standards, and flavour targets. This ensures farmers are rewarded for innovation and helps bring unique, high-quality coffees to market that wouldn’t exist under standard commercial models.

How is the natural SL28 processed differently?

The natural SL28 is sun-dried with deliberate control over harvest ripeness and drying duration. These factors — agreed in advance with the farm — directly influence its winey, fruity, and sweet flavour development.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Exploring SL28 Profiles

For drinkers intrigued by the fruity and winey complexity of the Guava Plains SL28, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend for balanced sweetness with notes of caramel and nuts, or their Black Cocoa Blend for deeper chocolate and dried fruit tones. Both showcase how unique varieties like SL28 can shine in different roast styles. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.