San Patricio El Limón: A Family-Run Jewel in Palencia, Guatemala
Tucked into the rolling hills of Palencia, just a short drive east of Guatemala City, lies San Patricio El Limón—a coffee farm that’s as much about family and community as it is about exceptional coffee. Owned and operated by Guadalupe “Beto” Reyes and his family, this 18-hectare farm is a shining example of what happens when passion, innovation, and collaboration come together.
A Family Legacy Rooted in Quality
The Reyes family took over El Limón in the late 1990s, and since then, they’ve transformed it into a hub of specialty coffee excellence. Beto, who also serves as mayor of Palencia, leads the farm alongside his wife Maralyn, their children Saul, Elena, Betio, and Betio’s wife Mafer. Beto’s brother Felix plays a key role too, managing the on-site wet mill—a vital part of their quality control process.
Over the years, the family has invested heavily in infrastructure: rebuilding the wet mill, adding a quality control lab, constructing a new warehouse, and even building accommodations for workers. These improvements have allowed them to process multiple lots simultaneously, keeping varietals, processes, and even daily pickings separate—ensuring traceability and consistency in every cup.
A Partnership with Hasbean and Ozone Coffee
The farm’s journey into the international spotlight began in 2013, when Raul Rodas, the 2012 World Barista Champion, introduced the Reyes family to Stephen Leighton, founder of Hasbean. That introduction sparked a relationship that has grown stronger with time. Hasbean became the first international buyer to purchase directly from El Limón, and since then, the farm has been a regular feature in both Hasbean and Ozone Coffee’s seasonal offerings.
This partnership is built on shared values: a love for experimentation, a commitment to transparency, and a deep respect for the craft. The Reyes family’s willingness to try new processing methods—like natural, honey, and hybrid processes—has made them a perfect match for Hasbean’s adventurous sourcing philosophy.
One standout example is a Black Honey x Natural hybrid process lot, where some cherries were fully depulped while others were left partially or fully intact. The result? A cup bursting with notes of juicy sultanas, brown sugar, and orange zest, with a sweet, treacle-like finish.
Palencia: A Region on the Rise
While Guatemala is renowned for its coffee, Palencia isn’t one of the country’s eight officially recognised coffee-growing regions. Names like Antigua, Huehuetenango, and Cobán tend to dominate the conversation. But Palencia is quietly carving out its own identity—thanks in large part to the work of the Reyes family.
With its high altitudes (1,350–1,850 metres above sea level), volcanic soil, and temperate climate, Palencia has all the natural ingredients for producing exceptional coffee. What it lacks in historical recognition, it makes up for in innovation and community spirit.
The Reyes family’s wet mill doesn’t just serve their own farm—it’s also a resource for neighbouring producers, helping to raise the quality and visibility of coffee across the region. Their success is inspiring others, and slowly but surely, Palencia is gaining the attention it deserves in the specialty coffee world.
A Diverse and Dynamic Coffee Offering
San Patricio El Limón grows a wide range of varietals, including Bourbon, Caturra, SL28, H1, H3, Maracaturra, Maragogype, Geisha, Pacamara, and Catuaí (both red and yellow). This diversity allows for a broad spectrum of flavor profiles and continuous experimentation.
In 2021, their Natural Processed Pacamara placed 14th in the Guatemalan Cup of Excellence, a proud moment that underscored the farm’s commitment to quality and innovation.
