Guatemala: El Limon, San Ramon

The first sip brings a creamy yoghurt which lingers all the way through into the aftertaste. A touch of lime zest adds a bright lift to the finish, while a subtle note of dark chocolate rounds out the profile, creating a well-balanced and satisfying cup.

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 since the late 1990s by Guadalupe “Beto” Reyes and his family, this farm is a shining example of what happens when passion, innovation, and collaboration come together. Beto’s approach to coffee is rooted in care and curiosity. A desire to experiment is one of the big reasons that we love buying from San Patricio El Limón; we've been getting coffee from them since first introduced seven years ago by our mutual friend Raul Rodas (2012 World Barista Champion), and they're just getting more awesome each year.

El Limon is eighteen hectares in size and sits at an altitude between 1,350 to 1,850 meters above sea level. The farm mainly produces Caturra and Bourbon but has also started growing SL28, H1, H3, Maracaturra, Maragogype, Geisha, Pacamaras, Caturras and Catuaí (yellow and red). In addition, around 8 water reservoirs have been built around the entire farm to preserve this vital resource and help ensure the sustainability of the farm. Over the years, the family has invested heavily in infrastructure: rebuilding the wet mill, adding a QC lab, constructing a new warehouse, and even building accommodations for workers.

The farm is located roughly an hour's drive to the east of Guatemala City in the small town of Palencia, which Beto also happens to be Mayor of! He has helped to build and develop the town alongside running his farm - honestly have no idea how he finds enough hours in the day, what a guy! Palencia isn’t one of the country’s eight officially recognised coffee-growing regions, and names like Antigua, Huehuetenango, and Cobán tend to dominate the conversation, but Palencia is quietly carving out its own identity. This is thanks in large part to the work of the Reyes family. With its high altitudes, 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.

• Country: Guatemala
• Region: Palencia
• Farm: San Patricio El Limon
• Farmer: Guadalupe Alberto 'Beto' Reyes Aguilar
• Altitude: 1,350-1,850 m.a.s.l.
• Farm size: 9 hectares
• Varietal: San Ramon
• Processing method: Washed

Tasting notes: Yoghurt, lime zest, dark chocolate.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean cup: (1–8): 6
• Sweetness: (1–8): 6.5
• Acidity: (1–8): 6.5
• Mouthfeel: (1–8): 6
• Flavour: (1–8): 6.5
• Aftertaste: (1–8): 6
• Balance: (1–8): 6.5
• Overall: (1–8): 6
• Correction: (+36): +36
• Total: (max. 100): 86

Medium-dark: looking for a nice, steady pace through first crack and through the gap before finishing just as you reach second crack.