MEL - El Mirador {Filter} | Guatemala - Washed - Geisha

Mel Coffee Roasters is located in Osaka, Japan

From MEL

Acatenango is located approximately 80 km west of Guatemala City, situated directly opposite the Fuego Volcano from the neighboring city of Antigua. Among Guatemala's eight coffee-growing regions, it is the newest and is gaining attention as a "hidden treasure of the Guatemalan coffee world." Although coffee production in the area dates back to the 1880s, the beans were long marketed simply as "Antigua Coffee." However, driven by the rising demand for high-quality coffee, producers collaborated with grower associations starting in 2001 to campaign for recognition as a distinct production region. ANACAFE (the National Coffee Association of Guatemala) conducted five years of research—covering regional characteristics, quality assessments, and mapping—ultimately leading to its official recognition in 2006 as the country's eighth coffee-producing region under the name "Acatenango." The Acatenango region lies to the west of the Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes—peaks that approach 4,000 meters in altitude. Constant volcanic activity deposits mineral-rich soil, creating an environment exceptionally well-suited for coffee cultivation. Gentle winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean protect the area from frost damage while providing the humidity necessary for growing coffee. Additionally, the region's lush forests serve as a habitat for migratory birds, fostering a rich ecosystem. SUBE acquired a farm spanning approximately nine hectares in this area. As an exporter with roots as a coffee farmer, SUBE leveraged the agricultural expertise cultivated at its Platanillo farm in San Marcos to establish this new operation; half of the land was planted with the Geisha variety (green-tip), and the other half with the Pacamara variety (green-tip). Notably, the seeds for the "Mirador Geisha" originated from the Mirador plot at the Platanillo farm, a source known for producing Cup of Excellence (COE) winning coffee. Acatenango is said to be rich in natural forests and well-suited for growing Geisha coffee.