Guatemala Atitlán Aprocafé

Guatemala is always on our minds here at Huckleberry, and even though the coffees from the AProCafé Atitlán Growers Association might only be on our menu for a few months each year, these coffees represent year-round work and commitment from both Huck and the growers. After months of work and a bit of waiting, we’re always excited to drop this coffee back into the lineup.

We've been roasting coffee from AProCafé since 2015, and it’s been a hands-on relationship since day one. Several years ago we worked with the group to develop their first single farmer microlot program, and for the past 9 years, have used a portion of proceeds from our holiday Sister Winter blend to help the group with a variety of projects, from drying beds, to weed whackers, to final touches on a mini wet mill. 

This particular coffee is a blend from individual farms within the association. Some of the coffees are fully-washed and dried by the farmers themselves, some processed collectively at the group’s wet mill in Panyebar. We’ll also have a few special single farm microlots from the group, Sister Winter will be back in full force soon, and coffees from the association have been a major part of Blue Orchid, Sound and Vision, and our kegged cold brew since the start of summer.

Don’t sleep on the micros or the holiday blend, but the main lots from AProCafé as a whole are equally special. We're tasting milk chocolate, pear, subtle berries, and almond in this year's crop - dependably sweet and delicious!

This past May, Aprocafé co-director Pedro Isaías Gonzales was killed in a car accident. He leaves a massive hole at the association, but an even bigger one for his family. Huckleberry is sending a portion of sales from all Aprocafé coffees directly to Pedro's family, and also inviting our community to contribute. If you would like to make an additional contribution, please visit our donation page.

 

*** For roasting schedule, shipping, receiving & additional information, please visit out Frequently Asked Questions . And, for a primer on coffee processing, check out our Processing Basics Guide. *** 

Pictured: Aprocafé co-director Pedro Isaias Gonzalez, plus the core group of Aprocafé farmers in Panyebar + Pasajquim.

Sourced from the volcanic slopes surrounding the lake, the Guatemala Atitlán Aprocafé represents the collaborative efforts of the AProCafé Atitlán Growers Association. This selection, roasted by Huckleberry Roasters, highlights the classic profile often associated with this high-elevation region. While coffees from this area are frequently celebrated for their balanced acidity and rich body, this specific lot offers a nuanced cup characterized by milk chocolate, pear, subtle berries, and almond.

When evaluating such complex profiles, it is helpful to reference the flavor wheel to better identify the interplay between the nutty base notes and the delicate fruit undertones. Coffees from the Atitlán region often benefit from the unique microclimate created by the surrounding volcanoes, which can influence the development of sugars during the maturation process. This offering provides a clear expression of the region's potential, balancing approachable sweetness with a refined, layered finish that rewards careful brewing.