BrewFYI

Atitlán

Guatemala
Atitlán, Guatemala coffee growing region — watercolor illustration
Altitude 1,500-1,700m
Climate Temperate with strong winds from Lake Atitlán
Soil Rich volcanic soil with high organic and nitrogen content
Harvest January-March

About

Atitlán surrounds the spectacular Lake Atitlán, a volcanic caldera lake flanked by three towering volcanoes that create one of Guatemala's most dramatic coffee landscapes. The lake's thermal mass moderates nighttime temperatures while strong winds off the water surface reduce moisture and fungal pressure. Atitlán coffees display a distinctive combination of bright citrus acidity, full body, and aromatic complexity with notes of dark chocolate and nuts. The volcanic soils around the lake are exceptionally rich in nitrogen and organic matter, supporting shade-grown cultivation beneath native Inga trees. Mayan farming communities around the lake have cultivated coffee here for over a century, preserving traditional agroforestry practices.

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