El Santo

ROAST PROFILE: Medium
COUNTRY: Guatemala 
REGION: Fraijanes 
ELEVATION: 1200- 1700 masl
PROCESS: Washed
OTHER: Single origin, traceable

FARM INFO
This coffee comes from smallholder producers in the El Cerrito and Los Verdes regions of Fraijanes. The region takes its name from the “Juanes Friars” who brought coffee to the area over 200 years ago. Traditional varietals of Bourbon, Typica, Catuai, and the Guatemalan native Pache Comun are still cultivated there.

Guatemala El Santo is grown between 1,200 and 1,700 masl in sandy loam, comprised of fresh ash from the Pacaya Volcano, as well as silt and clay. Therefore, the nutrient levels of the soil are high. This combined with altitude and cool temperatures, makes for a delicate and complex cup.

Fraijanes is unique in its close proximity to Guatemala City. However, it faces many of the same challenges as more-remote smallholder communities. Cafe El Santo, or the Saint, presents a supply chain with impeccable traceability. Comprehensive information is available on not only the individual producers, but also details on the day lots making up a given container. This information includes an initial Quality Control check, averaging brix reading, fermentation time and drying time.

Beneficio San Victor wet mill services smallholder farmers and several estates. Its recently purchased updated machinery conserves water, improves efficiency and maintains quality. The mill has become known for producing a wide scope of high-end microlots. The wet mill provides direct feedback to producers upon receiving cherry. This drives higher and quality coffee over time, as is evident with this coffee.


Origin photos by Interamerican Coffee.