Guatemala Alfredo Ramirez Washed (Lot 2)

The Region

Nestled in the mountains of Tectitán, Huehuetenango, Loma Bonita is a small community surrounded by pine forests, diverse native vegetation and abundant birdlife. Clay-rich soils, warm days and cool mountain elevations create favourable conditions for cultivating specialty coffee, while the region’s rugged landscape gives each farm its own distinctive character. Although coffee has long been grown in the area, producers are increasingly recognising its specialty potential, investing in quality and careful post-harvest practices to showcase the unique identity of the region.

Huehuetenango is both a large department (or state) and the eponymous capital city of that same department. While coffee isn’t grown in the city of Huehuetenango, it is abundant in the high altitude mountains to the west and north of the city. Producers are predominantly smallholders with around 1 hectare of land. In order to buy coffee directly from these smallholder groups we have installed a number or regional micro-warehouses and buying stations. This has both enabled us to receive coffee directly from the small holders and cut the transport & logistics costs for them; all while providing stable market access for these remote communities.