Guatemala, Finca Las Gardenias

Expect notes of Strawberry, Raspberry, Red Grape

Finca Las Gardenias sits high in the mountains of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, at 1,900 metres above sea level. The 15.3-hectare farm is run by Eddy Macdonald Lopez Lopez, and preserving the natural environment is central to how he operates. Native trees, spring-water sources and native wildlife, including the Quetzal that is Guatemala's national bird, all share the land with the coffee. The estate is Rainforest Alliance certified. Eddy's Bourbon cherries are harvested at peak maturity and dried whole cherry in two stages: five days on the patio under managed sun, then a further seventeen days on African-style raised beds, hand-turned every hour. The natural processing draws out the variety's deepest fruit character, producing a cup that punches well above the classical Guatemalan profile: Strawberry, raspberry and red grape, layered and bright.