Raul Perez - catuai, filter

La Soledad farm is located in the heart of the Acatenango region. Its unique microclimate and volcanic soil are the perfect combination for growing high-quality coffee with very distinct profiles. The farm extends over 90 hectares, of which 45 hectares are used for coffee production and the rest preserved as natural forest. Henio and his two sons, Raul and Jose, work together, focusing on the constant development and improvement of their processes in order to achieve the highest quality potential for their coffees. La Soledad has won several awards at the Guatemalan Cup of Excellence, and has gained great respect and recognition throughout the industry over the years.

Acatenango's climate is ideal for growing coffee. The high altitude, generally between 1,600 and 2,000 meters above sea level, plays a crucial role. At this altitude, cooler temperatures slow the ripening of coffee cherries, allowing the beans to develop more complex, nuanced flavors. What's more, the region is located near the active Acatenango volcano, and the volcanic soils are extremely fertile. This richness in minerals contributes to coffee quality by promoting optimal plant growth and enriching the aromatic profile of the beans.

The Catuai variety is a hybrid between Mundo Novo and Caturra Rouge. It is a small, robust plant developed in Brazil by the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC). Catuai can produce both yellow and red fruit. Catuai coffee is characterized by chocolate, caramel, caramelized sugar, honey, almonds and spices such as nutmeg.

The washed process involves fermentation and washing steps that give greater control over the quality and consistency of the coffee. This method reduces the variability of flavors due to uneven fermentation that can occur in other processes such as natural drying. Coffee washing eliminates mucilages and other residues that can affect taste. As a result, washed coffee often has a cleaner flavor and fewer earthy or fermented notes than coffees processed by other methods such as natural drying.