Guatemala Antigua Finca San Sebastian

About Guatemala Antigua Finca San Sebastian

Arrived October 2021 as new crop, in grainpro. We have offered Finca San Sebastian in the past, and have always been impressed, but have not been able to secure any amount from the farm for a few years. We were fortunate enough to be offered the chance to purchase directly from the farm this year, and we think our customers will agree that it was well worth the wait.  Coffee is arriving late this year as are other products.

This Antigua coffee, new to us, comes from the San Sebastian farm which sits at about 5000-6000 feet above sea level and spans 450 hectares. The farm was founded in 1890 by Salvador Falla Santos and is now managed by a fourth generation member of the Falla family, Estuardo Falla Castillo. During its history San Sebastian has earned a spot as one of the most acknowledged names of Antigua coffee - there are only about 50 genuine Antigua farms. Over the century that it has been cultivating coffee it has managed to produce quality coffee time and again. From the first award it received in 1904 to its wins at the prestigious Cup of Excellence Competition in 2007 and 2015, it's clear that San Sebastian has mastered the art of coffee production. Quality control and use of technology allows the farm managers to analyze every lot that is harvested, ensuring great coffee each year. They grow both Bourbon and Caturra (dwarf Bourbon) varieties that are then processed at the farm's own wetmill and 100% sundried. The coffee is packed in grainpro bags at origin to further preserve the character.

Bourbon is not the most common variety these days throughout Antigua but this heirloom cultivar offers sweet, concentrated flavors due to its relatively low yield, somewhat small size and the high elevation where it is grown. They use two tiers of shade tree with naturally occurring oak forming the top tier and planted Grevilla and Macadamia forming the lower. These shade trees provide a canopy which allows coffee to grow more slowly and its sweetness is heightened. This type of canopy also provides habitat for wildlife, protection against erosion and it fosters organic compost. The Fallas promote responsible cultivation, protection of the their micro environment and fair wages to their employees through premium coffee production and pricing. .

Antigua, Guatemala's former 16th century capital, was abandoned by the 18th century because of the frequency of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The Falla family bought property there in 1890 and has been farming since. Over the years, their sizeable overall holdings were divided among heirs with much of the land being used for coffee and other farming.

• Farm: San Sebastian
• Municipality: San Miguel Duenas
• Department: Sacatepequez
• Altitude: 5000-6500 Feet above sea level
• Processing: Washed
• Harvest Season: November to March

Cup Characteristics: Aromas of coconut and papaya, with flavors of tropical fruit, graham crackers and brown sugar. A clean and refined cup that is delicately sweet and juicy. With lots of body and some perceived light smokiness the coffee has deep flavor and sweetness, common to the Bourbon variety. As with other high grown coffee, there is piquant acidity and Antigua's notable zesty character.

Roasting Notes: We recommend roasting this coffee from City+ to Full City. There is a lot of character here to capture so going too dark is not to your advantage. However, as a high grown, strictly hard bean coffee it can handle darker roasts, albeit at the expense of its more delicate and floral elements.