Guatemala: Cieba

The Ceiba lot from Huehuetenango is a community coffee, investing in sustainable sourcing to benefit a large group of producers. The cup profile boasts a rich floral and berry aroma and is full of chocolate, lemon, and raspberry, with a creamy body thanks to the specific Huehuetenango terroir.

Huehuetenango is located in the Western highlands of Guatemala bordering Mexico. Thanks to the elevation and varied microclimates of this mountainous region, coffee from Huehuetenango is well known worldwide for its bright and crisp acidity. Huehuetenango lies in the Los Cuchumatanes mountain range, the highest point of which is known as “La Torre,” which reaches almost 3,800 meters.

Cupping Notes: Cherry, apricot, creaminess, and chocolate notes

Brew Recommendations: Espresso, drip, French press, pour-over

Varietals: Caturra, Bourbon, Typica, Catuai, Catimor, Sarchimor, Pache, Pacamara

Region: Huehuetenango

Altitude: 1500 meters above sea level

Processing Method: Wet process (washed) and patio sun-dried

Equity and Transparency Pricing Levels

Sustaining Level: $16 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Uplifting Level: $20 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Benefacting Level: $24 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Sourced from the high-elevation landscapes of Guatemala · Huehuetenango, this offering from Keia & Martyn's Coffee showcases the classic profile associated with the region. The coffee undergoes a washed process, a method typically employed to highlight the inherent clarity and acidity of the bean before the drying stage. By removing the fruit flesh prior to drying, producers often achieve a cleaner cup profile that allows the underlying terroir to shine through.

When evaluating this lot, drinkers may find the roaster’s notes of cherry, apricot, creaminess, and chocolate particularly evocative. To better understand how these specific descriptors fit into the broader spectrum of coffee quality and character, we recommend consulting the flavor wheel. This tool provides a structured way to categorize the complex sensory experiences found in specialty coffee, helping to bridge the gap between individual tasting notes and the diverse chemical compounds present in every brew.