Guatemalan Huehuetenango Coffee

Origin & Quality
Our Guatemalan coffee comes from smallholder farms in Huehuetenango, one of Guatemala’s most celebrated coffee-growing regions. This Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) coffee is cultivated between 1,600-2,000 meters above sea level, where unique microclimates and volcanic soil create ideal conditions for exceptional coffee. The Los Huipiles blend represents multiple small communities, each with distinct traditions—much like the intricate embroidered patterns of traditional huipil garments that give this coffee its name.

Farmers here grow traditional varieties including Bourbon, Arabigo, and Caturra, carefully hand-picking ripe cherries during the December through March harvest season. This coffee meets European Preparation (EP) standards with screen size 15 and above and fewer than eight defects per 300 grams—a testament to meticulous quality control.

Growing Conditions
Huehuetenango farms perch high in Guatemala’s western highlands, protected from frost by dry, hot winds flowing from Mexico’s Tehuantepec plain. These winds create additional heat layers that allow coffee to thrive at dizzying elevations where most crops wouldn’t survive. The remote locations mean farmers often operate their own micro-mills, maintaining control over every step of production.

High altitude means slower cherry development, allowing beans to absorb more nutrients and develop greater density and complexity. The region’s numerous rivers provide abundant water for washed processing, where cherries are floated, sorted, depulped, and fermented to remove mucilage before sun-drying. This method showcases Huehuetenango’s distinctive terroir, letting the region’s unique character shine through in every cup.

Flavor Profile
In the cup, this Guatemalan coffee delivers medium body with balanced medium acidity. Expect a range of flavors from bright and delicate in lighter roasts—featuring pear, floral notes, and gentle sweetness—to rich and toasty in darker roasts with deep chocolate, roasted nuts, and warming spices. The washed process creates a clean profile that reflects the complexity of Huehuetenango’s varied microclimates, each sip revealing layers that unfold like the intricate patterns of a traditional huipil.

This coffee embodies what makes Guatemalan coffee legendary: rich volcanic terroir, careful cultivation at extreme altitude, and the dedication of small farming communities preserving centuries of agricultural tradition.

Our Roasting Philosophy
At Dusty Rose Coffee Roasters, we roast every origin in small batches to preserve freshness and respect the character of each region. This Guatemalan coffee reflects our belief in honest sourcing, intentional roasting, and giving back—one happy horse at a time.

This coffee is available in Light, Medium-Light, Medium, Medium-Dark, and Dark roasts. Tasting notes vary by roast—please choose your preference from the drop-down menu.

Quick Facts:
Origin: Huehuetenango, Guatemala
Elevation: 1,600-2,000 meters (SHB)
Process: Washed
Varieties: Bourbon, Arabigo, Caturra
Harvest: December – March
Acidity: Medium, balanced
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Sweet, aromatic

Want to explore another high-altitude coffee? Try our Ethiopian coffee.