Guatemala Palencia Finca La Pia

Guatemala Palencia Finca La Pia(12oz)

Roast Type: Medium-

Country: Guatemala
Region: La Joya Larga, Palencia, Fraijanes Plateau Region
Varietal: Caturra, Bourbon
Farm: Finca La Pia
Process: Washed 
Altitude: 1700-1800 M
Grade: SHB

Notes:  Dark chocolate and hazelnut noted in fragrance and aroma, concluding with a lingering aftertaste featuring hints of vanilla, hazelnut, and a touch of orange blossom. Mild-bright orange acidity, medium body with a smooth and silky mouthfeel. Well balanced.

Our coffee bags are 100% compostable.
Locally Roasted in Glendale, CA

About the coffee:

Finca La Pia, located near La Joya Larga in Palencia, Guatemala, boasts a history of exceptional quality, consistently ranking in the top 20 Cup of Excellence, with a score exceeding 87 points in 2020. Situated at approximately 1,700 to 1,800 meters above sea level, the farm utilizes traditional washed depulped cherry processing, employing a 24-hour fermentation and patio drying.

Managed by owner Don Victor Calderon, the "La Aurora" lot is meticulously crafted by sorting and selecting the highest cupping day-lots and nano-lots. Don Victor implements unique cultivation techniques, favoring minimal intervention and relying on natural or organic methods. The soil is enriched with California red worm compost, manure, and nitrogen-fixating plants, eschewing conventional fertilizers.

Photo: Our coffee broker Jared Hales (middle) with Don Victor Calderon family.

To combat coffee leaf rust, or "la roya," bentonite clay, naturally occurring on the farm, is applied instead of typical sprays. This approach, coupled with organic plant nutrition, yields resilient coffee trees with exceptional quality potential. The Calderon family, deeply rooted in coffee for nearly 140 years, has transitioned from volume production to specializing in high-quality specialty coffees.

Don Victor Calderon, the visionary behind this shift, acquired Finca La Pia in 2000, focusing on specialty coffee cultivation. Diversifying the plantation with avocado and native fruits, the farm achieves an efficient and productive balance. The steep hillside is strategically planted with coffee, while the other half remains a natural reserve, certified by the Guatemalan Institute for forest protection. This certification ensures the preservation of thick natural forest on the farm.