06.04.2009 : Coffee of the Month for June – Guatemala Antigua
Roast: Peak - Mild
Flavor: Intense
Body: Light
Aroma: Delicate, Mild
Single Origin: Guatemala, Central America
In the Cup:
As a drip coffee it's wonderfully flavorful and rich, with a distinctive brightness, and aroma that has very subtle chocolate notes.
At the foot of the majestic Mt. Agua volcano – in the upper reaches of the Panchoy Valley – lies a beautiful city with an intriguing history.
- The city of Antigua was founded in 1527 as the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala, which at that time encompassed much of Central America, including what is now Costa Rica.
- The city of Antigua was one of the finest Spanish cities in the New World, with beautiful plazas and buildings, and ruled Central America for 250 years.
- The original city was destroyed in an earthquake in 1773, and the capital was eventually moved 30 miles to Guatemala City.
Coffee first came to Antigua in the mid-1700's, when Jesuit priests planted coffee as an ornamental shrub for the garden of their monastery. Guatemala Antigua coffee – grown today on estates surrounding the old city – is known for its rich flavor and distinctive acidity. The very high altitude of the city, over 5,000 in elevation, creates a cool and cloudy environment, slowing the growth of the coffee and intensifying the flavor.
