Guatemala Huehuetenango Jabiru

Guatemala Huehuetenango Jabiru

Butterscotch | Grapefruit Juice | Almond

KEY DETAILS

Origin: Huehuetenango, Guatemala
Process: Washed & sun-dried
Varietal: Bourbon, Caturra, Typica, Catuai & Pache
Altitude: 1,500 - 1,800m
Tasting Notes: Butterscotch, Grapefruit Juice & Almond
Roast Profile: Medium-Dark

THE COFFEE

High in the cool, mist-covered highlands of Huehuetenango, Huehuetenango Jabiru is a celebration of Guatemalan terroir and meticulous craftsmanship. Grown by smallholder farmers at elevations between 1,500 and 1,800 metres, this coffee is classified as SHB EP - “Strictly Hard Bean, European Preparation.” This means it’s cultivated at high altitude for dense, complex beans and then hand-sorted to the highest export standards.

In the cup, expect a luxurious butterscotch sweetness, balanced by zesty grapefruit brightness and a delicate almond finish, creating a clean, layered, and rewarding experience across filter and espresso brews.

THE REGION

Coffee in Huehuetenango is more than just a crop, it’s a tradition woven into the region’s cultural fabric for generations. The rugged mountains and fertile valleys here have nurtured coffee since the 19th century, with families tending to small plots often no larger than a few hectares. Knowledge is passed down through generations, each adding refinement to farming and processing techniques.

What makes Huehuetenango so special is its unique microclimate. Cool mountain air and warm daytime temperatures slow the maturation of the cherries, allowing sugars and complex flavours to develop naturally. These conditions, combined with rich volcanic soils, give the coffee its distinct clarity, vibrant acidity, and remarkable sweetness.

At RECENT Coffee Roasters, we’ve had the privilege of showcasing coffees from Huehuetenango before, and each time, they’ve captivated both us and our customers. Bringing another standout from this region to our lineup is not just exciting - it feels like welcoming back an old friend, one that never fails to surprise and delight with its complexity and elegance.

THE PROCESS

This coffee undergoes a meticulous washed process. Cherries are hand-picked only at peak ripeness, then depulped and fermented until the sticky mucilage breaks down, unlocking the beans’ potential. After fermentation, the parchment coffee is washed clean and spread out to dry in the sun on patios or raised beds, turned frequently to ensure even drying. Once the beans reach optimal moisture, they are rested in a cool, dry environment before being hulled, graded, and carefully prepared for export.

SPOTLIGHT LIMITED ROAST

Our spotlight, limited roast coffees are all ethically sourced from the best coffee farms and wash houses around the world. These small-batch or microlot coffees are from smaller harvests, which can not be farmed year-round. We find these rare and excellent coffees and lovingly hand roast them in small batches using our 5KG roasters, roasting daily to order for the freshest coffee possible. Due to their rareness and popularity, many of our spotlight coffees are restricted to 3 or 4 sacks only, meaning we're only able to roast 150-200KG of artisan coffee per release.

Interested in trying a selection of the best coffees in the world?

Our Roaster's Choice Coffee Subscription is an excellent way to taste a wide-range of the best tasting coffee the world has to offer, freshly roasted to order. Go on a coffee adventure with a freshly roasted bag of ethically sourced coffee on a subscription basis to suit you. Where available, we always include our spotlight limited roast within the Roaster's Choice Coffee Subscription, so you can be sure you're always getting the most exclusive speciality coffee.

Find out more about the Roaster's Choice Coffee Subscription