Guatemala Quetzal Huehuetenango

Huehuetenango, Guatemala

At Conscious Cup, we’ve been sourcing coffees from Huehuetenango, Guatemala, since 2006. The Quetzal Program, inspired by the success of “Regional Select - Waykan,” highlights Guatemala’s regional diversity and supports producers. This initiative allows us to buy more and pay more for high-quality coffees, supporting producers and offering a broader range of exceptional coffees. Huehuetenango's rich volcanic soil and farmers' expertise yield high-quality Arabica beans, including chocolatey volume offerings and fruit-forward microlots.

Guatemala’s coffee sector, mostly smallholder farmers from over 20 indigenous groups, formed Anacafé in 1960. An outbreak of coffee-leaf rust in 2012 reduced yields by up to 25%, leading to a state of emergency. Farmers used chemical and organic treatments, pruning, reducing shade plants, and replacing susceptible varieties with resistant ones. Anacafé collaborates with World Coffee Research to develop rust-resistant varieties and enhance productivity for smallholder farmers.