Knowledge · geography
Antigua, Guatemala
Guatemala growing region
Key facts
- Region
- Sacatepéquez, Guatemala
- Surrounding Volcanoes
- Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango
- Altitude
- 1,500–1,700 meters above sea level
- Main Varieties
- Bourbon and Caturra
- Typical Process
- Washed
- Flavor Profile
- Deep cocoa, brown spice, smoky-sweet complexity
- Protected Since
- 2000 by Antigua Coffee Producers Association
- Beans we stock
- 88 from Guatemala
The Antigua valley in Sacatepéquez, ringed by the Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango volcanoes, is Guatemala's most famous coffee region and one of the few with a protected denomination administered by the Antigua Coffee Producers Association (APCA) since 2000 to combat fraudulent labelling. Frequent ash fall from active Fuego replenishes the mineral-rich volcanic soils, and the valley's high altitude (around 1,500–1,700 metres) and dry, sunny microclimate produce full-bodied washed Bourbon and Caturra with deep cocoa, brown spice, and a characteristic smoky-sweet complexity. Antigua remains the benchmark for classic, structured Guatemalan coffee.
At a glance
- Altitude: 1500–1700 masl
- Typical varieties: Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai
- Common processes: Washed
- Harvest: 12, 1, 2, 3
Climate
Sheltered valley climate with low humidity and strong sun, moderated by surrounding volcanoes.
Soil & terroir
Mineral-rich volcanic soils replenished by ash from Volcán de Fuego.
See also