Guatemala Arco Iris

Country: Guatemala
Region: Santiago, Atitlan
Varietal: Caturra & Catuai
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1,400 - 1,580 MASL
Cupping Notes: Brown Sugar, Malt, Walnut, Baking Spices

Description: Arco Iris is located at Aldea Quisaché, Acatenango department of Chimaltenango. At the foothill of Acatenango Volcano between the Xaya and Cucuya rivers. Coffees grow at a range from 1,400 to 1,580 meters above sea level, with average rainfall of about 1,600mm or 62 inches per year. The farm grows coffees under native trees such as Gravilea and Inga.

High quality standards are in place, selecting only crimson colored cherries by hand. Then de-pulping the coffee and transferring it to fermentations tanks for about 36 hours. For drying the farm uses half patios and the other guardiolas for drying time of 5 to 10 days on patio, depending on the weather.

Arco Iris is owned and operated by three brothers, who are third generation coffee producers. Their grandfather started producing coffee at the beginning of the last century. The distinctive volcanoes of Guatemala define the landscape, as well as many of the coffee producing regions. A legacy of volcanic activity has blessed this coffee region with rich mineral soils. It nurtures plants, consumes water and regulates gases like carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur.

This is one of the daily drinking type of coffees coming out of Guatemala that we love. We like to think of them as premium alternatives to some of the more basic Brazilian coffees. This one is clean and sweet with some notes of dense Brown Sugar and pops of Baking Spices.