A well balanced, bittersweet cup, convincing flavor of brown sugar amidst semi-sweet cocoa powder, baking chocolate, a creamy hint of Brazil nut and cinnamon.
Lake Atitlan is a sight to behold, a caldera lake of beautiful blue water surrounded by a trio of volcanoes, two of which are still active to this day. This highland region is home to many Mayan villages, and a wide swath of small holder and larger estate type coffee farms.
Cerro Lancandon Chochajau, the farm where this coffee is from, is somewhere in between those two, being a large conglomerate of coffee land made up 27 different farmers. The coffee is Organic certified, grown around 1600 meters above sea level, and a mix of cultivars that are fairly common in Guatemala, like Bourbon, Caturra, Typica and Catuaí. The farm group are located in the town of San Juan La Laguna, a small town perched on the slopes of the western shores of the lake.
At the core of Aldea San Juan is a nicely balanced, bittersweet cup, with body that has tactile appeal and a moderate vibrance through it all. The coffee smells of milk chocolate accented by subtle fruit notes, caramel corn candy, and puffed rice cereal. Medium roasts yield a moderately sweet cup, a flavor of brown sugar is convincing amidst semi sweet cocoa powder, and something like baking chocolate having a bittering affect in the aftertaste. The cup is not showy, but rather restrained, familiar in a way, and quite delicious. The bittersweetness unfolds to a creamy hint of Brazil nut and dusting of cinnamon powder in the finish.
- Origin: Guatemala
- Region: Cerro Lancandon Chochajau, Atitlan
- Farm group: San Juan La Laguna
- Altitude: 1600m
- Cultivar: Bourbon, Caturra, Catuaí, Typica
- Processing: Wet Process (Washed)
- Drying: Patio Sun-Dried
- Grade: SHB
- Certificate: USDA organic