Guatemala FECCEG Joyabaj Natural

One of the big names in Guatemalan coffee, the Federacion Comercializadora de Café Especial de Guatemala (FECCEG) represents over 1,000 smallholder farmers across 12 cooperatives in the country's western highlands. In addition to providing milling and exporting services, FECCEG strives for environmental, social, and economic sustainability for its members through organic farming practices and investment of Fairtrade premiums. This fruit forward yet balanced natural processed coffee comes from the town of Joyabaj, Quiché where, in 2021 the cooperative spearheaded an initiative to launch a wet mill to process the high quality coffees coming from the region.

The Guatemala FECCEG Joyabaj Natural represents a collaborative effort from the FECCEG cooperative, sourced and roasted by Gimme! Coffee. Located in the Quiché department, the Joyabaj region offers a distinct terroir compared to more traditional growing areas like Guatemala Antigua. Because this lot undergoes a natural process, the coffee cherry is dried intact around the bean, a technique that often imparts a heavier body and pronounced sweetness to the final cup.

When evaluating such coffees, it is helpful to consult a flavor wheel to identify the complex interplay between the inherent characteristics of the Quiché region and the influence of the drying method. Natural-processed coffees frequently exhibit deep fruit-forward profiles, providing a unique contrast to the cleaner, brighter acidity often associated with washed coffees from this country. This selection highlights the ongoing commitment of producers in Joyabaj to refine their post-harvest techniques for the specialty market.