Today, most of the country's coffee production takes place in the southern part of the country. Guatemala has seven major coffee-producing regions: Antigua, Coban, Atitlan, Huehuetenango, Fraijanes, Oriente, and San Marcos. Each region has different climatic variations, so the coffee beans from each region have their own unique characteristics. In general, however, Guatemalan coffee presents a mild and mellow overall texture, with an elegant aroma and a pleasant acidity similar to fruit acids, making it the aristocrat of coffees. Coffee has earned Guatemala much acclaim internationally, especially Antigua coffee, which features a perfect harmony of acidity, sweetness, and body, coupled with a hint of smokiness that emphasizes its mystery. After tasting it, you will have reason to stop looking for alternatives. (Due to this unique charcoal-roasted aroma, Antigua coffee is also known as "cigarette coffee".)
The "Antigua Bella Carmona" is the finest among Antigua coffees and belongs to the famous beans under the renowned La Minita group. It is produced by the well-known Antigua processing plant, Las Pastores Beneficio.
"Antigua Bella Carmona" comes from the high-altitude area in the center of the Antigua volcanic region. The famous La Minita estate in Costa Rica provides the industry's highest standards of cultivation and processing technology. They send specialists directly to Antigua to participate in quality control and entrust the Pastores mill, the largest and best-equipped facility in Antigua, to perform the highest standard of post-harvest processing. Under the supervision of La Minita quality control personnel regarding green bean processing and cupping, a strict procedure from purchasing coffee cherries to washing, sun-drying, and roasting has been established. Therefore, it is no surprise that this coffee has such extraordinary performance.
As the name suggests, "Bella Carmona" has a beautiful appearance. After brewing, it has a delicate floral and fruity sweetness. When tasting, one can perceive the bitterness of cocoa and the sweetness of caramel, a faint smokiness, and a distinct red wine finish, with an overall clean and bright flavor.
Currently, some of the highest-quality coffee from Guatemala is exported to Japan, where each cup sells for $3 to $4. Moreover, Guatemala has specifically established a Specialty Coffee Association and provides maximum funding and attention to these high-quality coffees. These efforts soon yielded results. From October 2006 to May 2007, Guatemala's coffee exports accounted for 3.5% of the world's total coffee exports, leaping to become the world's fifth-largest coffee exporter. The true beneficiaries of the development of the Guatemalan coffee industry are not only the local coffee growers but also coffee lovers around the world.