Guatemala Atitlan Robusta

This Robusta is from a coffee estate called Finca Panama, in the Atitlán growing region of Guatemala. Finca Panama was established in the 1930's and has experienced many crop changes through the years, but has continually produced coffee. Today, the farm produces coffee, mangosteen, macadamia nuts, natural rubber, bamboo, avocado, lemons and honey. Altitude at the farm spans a range of 800 meters on the low side, all the way up to 1500 meters above sea level. Robusta is a unique coffee species separate from Arabica (which makes up the majority of what we sell, and specialty coffee in general). Unlike Arabica, Robusta can be grown at very low altitudes without the risks of disease, but the tradeoff is lower cup quality. Robusta is known for bitter flavors, big body and flat acidity. Historically, it's traded for much lower prices than Arabica, and a popular choice for blends as a result. In recent years, there's been a push to produce "specialty" grade Robusta, which is what we see here. The same care is put into post harvest practices as what you would expect for a high grade Arabica. That doesn't mean it will taste like the washed Guatemala coffee you're used to! It's an intensely bitter coffee, with unique toasted grain flavors, savory spices and more. They're very interesting coffees to taste, and a little goes a long way in a blend.