Guatemala El Amate

Guatemala · El Amate · Washed

This one comes from Petronilo Martinez’s farm in Hoja Blanca, Huehuetenango, right near the Mexican border. His father planted it in 1958. Petronilo is in his eighties now and still walks the farm most days, with his son running it alongside him.

It’s a washed coffee. The fruit comes off first, the beans ferment for 48 hours, then dry in the sun on concrete patios for 11 days. Washing keeps the cup clean, so nothing muddies the sweetness.

The cupping notes say Dr Pepper. We were skeptical until we tasted it. It’s a fruit-forward coffee that tastes like something you already know, and that’s why it’s in our lineup.

In the cup, it's velvety and sweet. Pear brings the juiciness, and a Dr Pepper-like spice shows up on the finish.

The result is sweet and juicy, with enough structure to keep it from feeling heavy.

TASTING NOTES: Sweet and velvety with notes of pear, brown sugar and orange bitters.