Guatemala - Santa Elisa

• Region - Acatenango
• Varietals - H1
• Process - Washed
• Taste Notes - Toffee, Red Apple, Pear
• Roast level - Medium

This remarkable coffee comes from Finca Santa Elisa Pachup, a vast estate nestled near San Pedro Yepocapa in Guatemala’s famed Acatenango region. Located on the western slopes of the towering Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes, the farm benefits from a dramatic and fertile landscape—though Fuego’s near-constant activity adds an extra layer of challenge to daily life.

Spanning 506 hectares, with 360 dedicated to coffee, Santa Elisa plays a vital role in the local economy. Back in 2017, despite its scale, the farm faced serious setbacks—producing just 700 quintales of cherry. But through dedicated refurbishment and forward-thinking management, production has skyrocketed to an impressive 34,000 quintales today.

This special lot was carefully processed by Los Volcanes Coffee at their Beneficio La Esperanza mill in Antigua. Working so close to Volcán de Fuego means processors must handle cherries with extreme care—volcanic ash frequently coats the fruit and must be thoroughly washed to prevent damage to the de-pulpers and maintain quality.

Finca Santa Elisa is also home to exciting agricultural experimentation. Among the standout varieties are Sarchimor, H1, and Tekisic—all of which thrive in these high-altitude volcanic soils. We’re proud to showcase a single-variety lot of H1, also known as Centroamericano—a hybrid of Sarchimor and the revered Rume Sudan.

Once harvested, the cherries are washed, pulped, and carefully cleaned before being sun-dried on patios. The result? A vibrant, complex coffee that captures the energy of its volcanic origin and the innovation of its producers.