GUATEMALA HUEHUETENANGO SHB EP

There are plenty of obstacles to cultivating and exporting coffee from the department of Huehuetenango. The terrain is rugged, and the weather is extreme. But coffee grows well here, and indigenous families with farms that average just a few acres in size have partnered with an export company called UNEX to overcome the obstacles. Each family uses their own micro-mill to process their harvest, which allows for meticulous care in cherry selection, de-pulping, fermenting, and drying the coffee. UNEX has a centralized warehouse to store dried parchment until it is time to move the coffee across the country along rough roads to Guatemala City where the coffee is prepared for export. Through UNEX, producers have gained access to technical assistance for managing their farms with the best organic practices. Using materials like coffee pulp to make organic fertilizers has helped reduce the transportation costs associated with purchasing fertilizer from afar, and at the same time, creates an abundant source of fertilizer that ensures better yields and quality. UNEX has also established funds for mobile clinics that can provide healthcare in the most remote indigenous communities.

Central American coffees may use the term EP (European Prep) to indicate screen size (15-18), in addition to SHB (Strictly Hard Bean), SHG (Strictly High Grown), or HG (High Grown) to refer to the highest grade of coffee based solely on elevation.

Variety:Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, and Catuai Altitude: 1500-1900 meters Soil: Clay minerals Process: Fully washed and dried in the sun