Fresh Crop Coffee, Guatemala Pulcal

It's been so long since we've had a fresh crop coffee from Central America. We were excited when we tasted the first samples of this coffee and were reminded that Central America produces some of the cleanest, sweetest coffees available.

Guatemala Pulcal is a beautiful coffee grown in Antigua at a farm called Hacienda Carmona. The bourbon and typica cherries are cultivated between 1580 and 1890 meters, which allows for the development of the delicate and sweet flavors. After hand-picking, the cherries are washed using the traditional method with spring water from the mountains.

This farm is owned by Maria Zelaya, a third-generation farmer who continues the traditions started by her ancestors in the 1800's.  Maria not only loves her coffee plants, but also her award-winning dairy cattle, which she names after her close friends.

One of our roasters, Sean, visited this farm in 2012 after participating in the Cup of Excellence tasting. Maria's passion for coffee became apparent by observing the meticulous care with which the coffees are cultivated, processed and prepared for export.

This delicious Guatemalan is the first of several tasty Central American crops we'll see in the months ahead.  We only expect this coffee to be around for a few weeks due to short supply and high deliciousness.

Small chapel on the hacienda grounds Small chapel on the Hacienda grounds

 

Inside the small dry mill at Hacienda Carmona Inside the small dry mill at Hacienda Carmona

 

Sitting room in the Hacienda with antique pottery found on the property Sitting room in the Hacienda with antique pottery found on the property

 

Maria Zelaya's prizewinning dairy cattle Maria Zelaya's prizewinning dairy cattle