Guatemala Codech

Tucked in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, the highest mountain range in Central America, the Coordinadora de Organizaciones de Desarrollo de Concepcion Huista (better known as “CODECH”) produces some of the best Fair Trade & organic coffees not just in the department of Huehuetenango but in all of Guatemala. CODECH is comprised of four base cooperatives – Asociación de Desarrollo Integral Productivo Yamanonh (ADIPY), and Asociación de Desarrollo Integral Tierra Hermosa Concepcionera (ADINTHEC), Asociación de Agricultores Tineco (ADAT), and Asociación Bitenam – and its members represent the Popti, Mam, and Q’anjob’al branches of the Mayan family.

Since 2009 our partners at Atlas Coffee Importers, have been working closely with CODECH on quality control and traceability. They began classifying producers based on the elevation of their farms and organized an annual internal cupping competition to discover quality lots (previously all producers coffees were blended together, regardless of quality). In 2019, we had the opportunity to participate as judges in this competition and were blown away by the quality of submissions. We are excited to now be working closely with some of the producers we discovered in that competition who are growing outstanding coffees!

The Guatemala Codech is a standout offering from the CODECH producer organization, representing the collaborative efforts of smallholder farmers in the Huehuetenango region. This area is widely recognized for its rugged, mountainous terrain, which often contributes to the distinct, high-density beans that define the profile of this Guatemala origin. By sourcing through Evans Brothers Coffee, this lot highlights the importance of direct relationships in maintaining the integrity of regional characteristics.

When evaluating the nuances of such coffees, it is helpful to reference the flavor wheel to better identify the specific aromatic and taste profiles present in the cup. While coffees from Huehuetenango are frequently celebrated for their vibrant acidity and complex sweetness, the specific character of this lot reflects the meticulous processing standards maintained by the CODECH cooperative. This selection serves as an excellent example of the quality achievable through dedicated regional cultivation and careful roasting practices.