Guatemala Antigua

     Guatemala which means "Land of Trees" is the 8th largest producer of coffee in the world.  Guatemala is also know as the "Eternal Spring" for having perfect year round jeans & t-shirt weather typically staying 75-85 degrees.
     Coffee arrived in Guatemala by Jesuit Priests in 1750.  In the Antigua region coffee is grown on volcanic hillsides about an hour from the capital.  The 3 most notable volcanoes (Agua, Fuego, Acatenango)  dominate the horizon around Antigua and provide mineral rich soil for the coffee trees.  "Fuego" is famous for being almost constantly active at a low level. Smoke issues from its top daily, but larger eruptions are rare.
    Guatemalan farmers preserve their individuality better than most central american countries because Guatemala has more micro-climates which strongly affect the character of the beans.  Microclimates can be used to the advantage of farmers who carefully choose and position their plants  Guatemalan farmers also have preserved their bourbon trees even ripping out other types and replanting traditional trees.
  So much to know about this coffee but the history adds to the depths this cup creates.  On first smell it has a nice praline and chocolatey aroma. Closing your eyes and taking it in you can almost picture the pastel colored houses and a beautiful spring breeze.  Using your worst table manners on the slurp, this coffee is very balanced with a well rounded acidity and a smooth finish.  Its is not as spicy as I expected.  This bourbon species coffee has a great cocoa powder finish.  It coats your mouth like a chocolate baking powder. As it cooled it stayed very balanced, but a little more nutty.  The thick cocoa powder coating still lingers on tongue and roof of your mouth.  We paired this coffee with nothing short of a delicious warmed brownie.