Huehuetenango Coffee Harvested in the Cuchumatanes Mountains of Guatemala
View of coffee plantations on the steep Cuchumatanes mountains of Guatemala
Huehuetenango coffee is well known for its quality and unique flavor. The topography, elevation, and climate of this specialty coffee growing region all contribute to making Huehuetenango coffee some of the most distinct and enjoyed within the international specialty coffee community.
It is one of Guatemala’s eight specialty coffee growing regions designated by ANACAFE (the National Coffee Association of Guatemala), officially called Huehue Highlands in recognition of the remote peaks of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes mountain range.
Here are some quick facts about Huehuetenango coffee:
Huehuetenango Coffee Facts
Elevation → 5,000 - 6,500 ft (1,524 - 2,000 mt)
Rainfall → 48 - 56 in
Temperatures → 68-75ºF (20-24°C)
In the cup → Fine, intense acidity with a full body and pleasant wine notes
Coffee Cultivation and Harvest in the Cuchumatanes Mountain Range
Cuchumatanes mountains at dawn
The Huehuetenango coffee region is located along the Guatemalan-Mexican border where fields are tucked away in remote corners of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, the highest non-volcanic mountain range in Guatemala and considered to be the most extensive highland region found within Central America. The mountain range itself covers 6,000 square miles with peaks reaching heights of 12,500 feet.
Coffee fields are tucked away in remote corners of the mountains that are farmed and tended to by predominantly Mayan indigenous, historically agricultural communities. While coffee growing is not inherently a Mayan tradition, these indigenous communities have woven coffee cultivation into their more traditional agricultural practices. Today, they harvest beans by hand on immensely steep slopes and along some of the highest peaks within the Cuchumatanes. The harvest begins in December and last through April and coffee plant varieties found in Huehuetenango include Bourbon, Catuai, and Caturra (from the arabica family) and even exotic varieties such as Maragogype and Pacamara).
Huehuetenango Coffee Region Climate
Huehuetenango coffee, just like the region’s name suggests, is grown in the highest and driest climate within Guatemala. The plants are nourished by warm winds that blow from the vast Tehuantepec Plains and are protected from frost year round. The harvest kicks off in September in lower growing areas and extends into April at higher elevations. The region receives between 48 and 56 inches of rainfall during the year, the majority during the rainy season which is typically from May to November. Humidity throughout Huehuetenango hovers around 65%, which is less than the rest of Guatemala.
Huehuetenango Coffee in the Cup
Coffee cup ready for sensory evaluation
Huehuetenango coffee stands out within the international specialty coffee community because of the acidity of beans cultivated at elevation. In fact, ANACAFE characterizes Huehuetenango’s beans as having a “fine, intense acidity with a full body and pleasant wine notes.” While often extensively recognized by its acidity, it’s important to note that Huehuetenango has the climate, soil, and elevation diversity to please a spectrum of palates, including coffee consumers who prefer chocolate, malty, sweet coffee notes.
It is precisely the variation of elevation, as well as soil makeup, that leads to such diversity of taste in Huehuetenango coffee beans.
Cultural Richness of Huehuetenango Coffee Region
Huehuetenango (pronounced way-way-teh-nahn-go) means “Place of the Ancient” is not only the name of the coffee growing region, but also one of Guatemala’s 22 departments (like state or province). The state is home to nine different indigenous groups, all of which speak distinct Mayan languages, representing nearly 30% of the cultural and linguistic diversity within the country. Nearly 75% of the Huehuetenango population is of Mayan indigenous, and the most prominent of the nine groups is the Maya Mam, who fiercely protect and preserve their culture and customs.
Indulge in the Huehuetenango Taste
Man from Huehuetenango with sibilings
Part of our work at De La Gente is to cultivate conscientious coffee consumers and encourage them to expand their palates to try new beans from new regions. Whether you’ve indulged in Huehuetenango taste before or are curious about the distinct flavors from the region’s beans, we invite you to consider ordering from De La Gente and support small-scale coffee farmers in the San Marcos and Antigua regions and all throughout Guatemala.
Whether you’d like to order a 12 oz bag of roasted coffee to brew at home, buy wholesale green or roasted coffee, we’re excited to hear from you.
Order samples