Guatemala Wicho Valdes

Region: Coban

Farm: Santa Isabel - Las Flores

Varietal: Caturra

Altitude : 1400-1600 MASL

Processing: Washed

Tasting Notes: Green apple, Stonefruits, Honey, Black Tea

Santa Isabel is a fifth-generation family farm in the beautiful Alta Verapaz region of Guatemala, sitting at 1,400–1,600m above sea level. Founded in 1875, the farm is now owned by Luis Valdés Sr. and managed by his son, Luis “Wicho” Valdés. Wicho grew up on the farm, studied agriculture, and his passion for the place is pretty hard to miss.

With around 3,500mm of rainfall each year and flowering spread across 8–9 cycles, the coffee cherries ripen at different times throughout the season. This creates a long harvest period — and calls for plenty of patience and careful picking.

Wicho and his team make up to 12 passes through the farm, sometimes with two weeks between each pass, selecting only the ripest cherries. Once picked, the cherries are processed within hours: pulped, fermented for up to 17 hours, washed and soaked for 24 hours, then slowly dried in the sun and greenhouse on raised beds.

This slow and consistent drying process helps develop greater sweetness, clarity and complexity in the cup. The Caturra lot we selected captures what we love about Santa Isabel — bright and floral, with a lovely stone-fruit sweetness.

A heartfelt thanks to Wicho, the Valdés family, and everyone at Santa Isabel for this tasty coffee.