Guatemala Guaya'b
Fairtrade, Organic, Bird Friendly Certified
Sweet, Milk Chocolate, Rich Spicy Fruit Notes
This exquisite Guatemalan coffee is certified Bird Friendly, Fairtrade and Organic
The coffee is produced by Asociación Civil Guaya'b in the Huehuetenango region
The association has 330 members, of which 316 are of indigenous descent.
Grown at an altitude of over 5,000 ft., it is graded as Strictly Hard Bean (See below for more about SHB coffee).
Gautemalan Guaya'b is one of the best Guatemalan coffees we have seen this year!
General Flavor Observations
Guatemala Guaya'b
This Guatemalan Antigua offers an incredibly smooth, sweet cup, with plenty of milk chocolate.
The body is soft and round, with rich stone fruit tones and a sweet finish.
The mouth-feel is very smooth, with a well centered profile and the finish is clean and crisp finish with accents of orange.
No matter which roast level you choose, this wonderful Guatemalan Guaya'b is sure to provide plenty of flavor and
character, in a sweet, round, satisfying cup.
Roast Level Profile Notes
Guatemala Guaya'b
I recommend our Full City Roast for this coffee to appreciate all of the nuances and characteristics in the profile.
However, it does extremely well across all of our Roast Levels.
We are always happy to accommodate any roast level you prefer.
The notes below illustrate how the various roast levels will change the flavor profile:
City Roast (light roast)
If you are looking for a brighter, more citrusy cup, then choose this roast.
Notes of Graham cracker, raw sugar and a nice nuttiness in the cup are perfectly matched by a crisp, orangey acidity, balanced with notes of cocoa nibs and raspberry sweetness.
This is a great choice for those who prefer a lighter roast.
Full City Roast (medium roast) - Preferred
This is the roast level to experience all the complexities between a light and dark roast.
The cup presents itself with a rich, round body surrounded by a milk chocolate base.
Stone fruit tones of plum (or perhaps apricot) give way to hints of dark cherry.
The finish is honey sweet, with a crisp orange-rind-like acidity that is perfectly balanced.
Fantastic!
Full City (+) Roast
This is the roast level where you pick up more prominent notes of dark chocolate and juiciness.
The mouth-feel is velvety, and the body deeper.
The fruit tones present themselves more like dark berries (black berry, dark cherry) and the finish is long and lasting with a well tempered acidity.
A rolling honey sweetness remains but the chocolate notes are at the forefront.
Silky smooth!
Vienna Roast
Vienna Roast will provide a more focused flavor profile that is centered around
bittersweet chocolate and a deep, rich body.
A caramelized sweetness is present, with a more pointed and lingering finish akin to molasses.
Lovely!
French Roast
While I can't really recommend a French roast, this coffee can handle it.
If you love deep, full-bodied French Roast coffees that retain complexity, you won't be disappointed!
Additional Information
Guatemala Guaya'b
Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) coffees are particularly sought after because these extreme elevations cause a
slower development of the coffee while nutrient concentrations in the soil impart a much higher quality in terms of
flavor.
These higher elevations also mean the crop yield is lower, and it is more labor-intensive to grow, harvest, and
transport the coffee. However, the prices garnered for these SHB coffees are due to the coffee's outstanding quality,
and not its production.
"Since we began selling at the Fair Trade price, we have seen a big improvement in our quality of life," says Antonio Carmelo Camposeco, president of Guaya'b.
"Cooperative members can now afford to buy clothes and medicine for their families, and they benefit from the new programs the cooperative has implemented with revenue from Fair Trade sales."
The extra income from Fair Trade prices has also enabled Guaya'b farmers to reinvest in their community. As a result, the region's economy is more stable, and the rate of migration has decreased. Some of the projects conducted with Fair Trade premiums include:
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Medical Insurance:
Guaya'b cooperative members voted to finance medical insurance for members and their families, using their Fair Trade premiums.
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Low Interest Micro Loans:
Guaya'b cooperative members are provided with low-interest loans that have allowed them to avoid unscrupulous local lenders.
Income from Additional Crops:
Guaya'b members have invested their premium funds into growing peanuts, fruit and peppers for sale in local markets.
Bird-friendly Certification is provided by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center(SMBC)
- Country: Guatemala
- Region: Jacaltenango, Huehuetenango
- Traceable: Asociación Civil Guaya'b
- Elevation: 5,413 - 6,397 ft.
- Process: Fully Washed
- Drying: Sun Dried on patios
- Grade: SHB
- Arabica Variety: Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai