Introduction to Coffee Culture in Guatemala

Mayan culture is not only one of the most important ancient cultures in the world, but also an important classical culture in America. According to historical data, the Mayans cultivated new grain varieties that made great contributions to mankind in agricultural production, such as corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, beans, sweet potatoes, peppers, cocoa, vanilla and tobacco, among which the cultivation of corn made the greatest contribution to mankind. Although there is no record of coffee here, today, most coffee growers in Guatemala can be seen as descendants of the Mayans, and they like to be called that.

Guatemalan coffee has a strong aroma, even if you don't drink it, just smelling it is already a pleasure. Antigua coffee has a rich and velvety mellow, rich and lively aroma, and fine sour taste. When the attractive fragrance lingers on the tip of your tongue, there is an indescribable mystery. You may feel dull at the first sip, but as the coffee cools down, you will find it slightly sweet and be surprised by its depth.

Antigua coffee is popular with most coffee lovers only because of its distinctive aroma. Because it is planted in the hills of volcanoes, it can retain its own characteristics more than Costa Rica, the main reason is that it has more geographical and climatic advantages than Costa Rica. Guatemala is located in the tropics, but due to the relatively high altitude, the climate is mild, it is a subtropical climate. Under the influence of this climate, coffee trees blossom and bear fruit more slowly than coffee trees in other parts of the world. However, the mild climate and fertile soil make it an excellent environment for growing coffee.

The coffee industry, run by the Mayans, once boomed Guatemala's economy and dominated the national economy. Unfortunately, the political situation in Guatemala is not good for these 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, compared with 900kg per hectare in El Salvador and 1700 kg per hectare in Costa Rica. Guatemalan coffee exports are controlled by private companies, but the National Coffee Commission 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. In order to revitalize its coffee industry, Guatemala has specially set up a special coffee association and gives maximum funding and attention to these high-quality coffee. These efforts will soon bear fruit, and the real beneficiaries are not only coffee growers, but also coffee lovers all over the world.