GUATEMALA | Santa Elisa

FARM: Santa Elisa
REGION: Antigua
PROCESS: Washed
VARIETY: H1 (Centroamericano)
ALTITUDE GROWN: 1200-1700m
NOTES: Pear, Caramel & Floral
SCA: 83

Finca Santa Elisa Pachup is an estate located in the Acatenango region of Guatemala near the town of San Pedro Yepocapa. You can find it positioned west of the slopes of the massive Acatenango and Fuego Volcanoes. Fuego has earned its name by being one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It is a large estate encompassing 506 total hectares with 360 hectares planted with coffee. Its size has made the farm an important source of income for many people living in San Pedro Yepocapa. In 2017 despite its size Santa Elisa was struggling to produce with only 700 quintales of cherries harvested. An extensive refurbishment and more innovative style of management has dramatically increased the farm’s production and it is now producing around 34,000 quintales of cherry.

This lot was processed by Los Volcanes Coffee at their mill in Antigua called Beneficio La Esperanza. They must be extra careful with the cherries due to the large amount of ash that often covers them from Vulcan de Fuego. If not washed well the ash can cause issues for the cherry depulpers. Finca Santa Elisa is actively experimenting with and producing many different coffee varieties. Some of the favourites for Los Volcanes have been their Sarchimor, H1, and Tekisic varieties. H1 is also known as Centroamericano, a cross between Sarchimor and Rume Sudan.