• Producer Arlam Aguirre
• Attributes Caturra and Bourbon
• Origin Finca El Aguacate at 1750 masl in Agua Dulce, Huehuetenango, Guatemala
• Profile Round & sweet, with cherry, nougat and red apple

Arlam (via his wife Yoesmi Martinez) is a member of a very special Co-operative of smallholders who are working collectively to farm more ecologically, improve coffee quality and access final buyers. We are the first importers to purchase directly from the group, called ASIAST – Asociación Integral Agrícola Sostenible Toneca. (Toneca is a colloquial adjective for San Antonio Huista where the co-op has its headquarters). Asiast producers, while continuing to use minimal amounts of conventional fertilisers are also implementing really exciting ecological processes, especially important given they work in a drought-prone area and are feeling the increased effect of climate change. We’ve seen terracing and planting in contour lines to capture water and avoid soil erosion; planting of groundcover crops in between rows of coffee plants to retain water; planting native shade trees; composting system and organic fertilization.This lot is a combination of two flavour-prized cultivars, bourbon and caturra (mostly the latter). Arlam picks the ripest cherries, and then floats them to remove defects. He de-pulps and leaves to ferment for two and a half days, washing off some of the mucilage after 36 hours. He then adds fresh water to the tank and washes fully after another two and a half days. The lot is then dried on his patio for 5–6 days.

We ship coffee as whole beans by default, if you need your coffee ground, please let us know at the checkout.