The latest addition to our single origin lineup comes to us from Fraijanes, high in the mountains of south-central Guatemala. La Aurora is an easy-drinking crowd pleaser, and we think it’ll be a big hit this holiday season!
Our La Aurora lot was produced by Don Victor Calderon on his farm Finca La Pia. Don Victor comes from a long line of Guatemalan coffee producers that stretches back to the very earliest days of coffee production in the country. The Family’s first farm was a coastal operation, acquired in 1885 by Don Florencio Calderon. The focus was on high-volume production, a model that was continued for generations, although the original land has since been given over exclusively to rubber plantations.
When Don Florencio’s great great grandson came to the helm, he brought with him a new vision for the family business. Don Victor had noticed changing trends in the coffee industry and in 2000, he acquired Finca La Pia, deciding to focus on producing speciality coffee. The farm also produces avocado and other local fruit, making the operation more biodiverse and therefore more efficient and productive. Don Victor has made sure to plant coffee only in areas that are easily accessible to pickers and farm workers, leaving the steep half of the farm alone completely. These thickly forested slopes have been certified by the Guatemalan Institute for Forest Protection, and are registered as a natural reserve.
La Aurora is a fully washed coffee, comprised of Bourbon and Caturra cultivars. It was grown at between 1700 and 1800 meters above sea level, among shade trees which include avocado and native pine. This medium-bodied coffee is perfect for everyday drinking. In the cup, ripe pear and lemon zest are supported by caramel baked apple and butterscotch, with milk chocolate and toasted marshmallow appearing on the finish.