VISTA HERMOSA -- Guatemala
Vista Hermosa is an iconic coffee farm nestled in the far corner of a remote valley in Huehuetenango (“way-way-ten-AHN-go”), Guatemala’s rugged northwest department closest to Mexico. The Martinez family has been caring for it and the people in this quiet valley for three generations.
WHO SHOULD DRINK THIS? Anyone who wants a good feel for the “taste of Huehuetenango.” This coffee is the proto-Huehue coffee, with all the classic elements of coffees from this part of Guatemala.
WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE? Sweet, with fruits like jackfruit and pineapple with a salted caramel creaminess and a beautiful meaty minerality that comes from the minerality of the iron and other minerals in the local soil. So complex and enjoyable.
WHAT MAKES THIS COFFEE SPECIAL? Finca Vista Hermosa (“the Farm with the Beautiful View”) lives up to its name. Although this is a valley dedicated to coffee farming, the coffee trees nestle harmoniously under shade tree canopies and among natural mountain springs bubbling out of the sides of the rocks. Mornings walking out onto the drying patios of the farm are best, as the clouds and mists of the valley blanket the valley floor and coffee farms below and stretch off to the horizon with Mexico. Huehue’s dense forests cover the towering mountains and river valleys, creating countless microclimates that are perfect for coffee growing. And Vista Hermosa is the gem of Huehuetenango.
HOW DO WE SOURCE IT? We’ve been buying coffees directly from Edwin Martinez, Vista Hermosa’s third generation owner since 2006. Having spent several weeks there through the years, we know this farm very well. Every year we work through what specific taste profiles we want to select from based on his ten or so microlots scattered across the farm. Some years it’s the high elevation, high acidity and clarity of Cipresal. Other years it’s the chocolately base of Michicoy. Or Edlyna’s beauty and delicate acidity. This year it’s the namesake microlot, Vista Hermosa.
This is one of our SECOND SEASON - FIRST HAND offerings. Coffees we have traveled the world to source directly from producers who are doing seriously good work in their localities, and that we think represent the very best their respective countries have to offer. We pay whatever price they ask because we are convinced their greatness will shine in your cup and because we know you’re happy to pay a little bit more for that quality and direct coffee friendship. Please note that while a large chunk of coffees we carry are the fruits of our extensive global coffee travels, if you see a coffee of ours without the SECOND SEASON - FIRST HAND designation, it doesn’t mean it’s less good. It just means we probably had a little help from a broker we trust to source coffees for us that meet our quality standards of Good Tasting; Transparent Operations and Sustainable Practices.
