Tasting Notes

Chocolate, Apple, Cherry & Lemongrass.

Roast Level

Process

Particulars

Elevation:	1,650 m
Variety:	Caturra
Process Type:	Honey
Producer:	Santa Isabel

About this Specialty Coffee

In the mist-shrouded mountains of Guatemala's Alta Verapaz region, Santa Isabel Estate stands as a testament to five generations of coffee excellence and environmental stewardship. The Espresso Lab has developed a deep appreciation for this 300-hectare sanctuary of sustainability, where the Valdés family legacy, dating back to 1875, continues to flourish under the innovative leadership of Luis "Wicho" Valdés. Nestled 29 kilometers from Cobán in San Cristóbal Verapaz, the estate's cool, rainforest-rich microclimate presents unique challenges that have inspired remarkable agricultural adaptations that align perfectly with The Espresso Lab's commitment to showcasing coffees of exceptional character and provenance.

The Espresso Lab values Santa Isabel's ingenious approach to transforming regional challenges into distinctive advantages. In an area characterized by persistent humidity and heavy rainfall, Wicho has implemented revolutionary farming techniques—strategic pruning, calculated plant spacing for optimal air circulation, and precise drying methodologies—that have elevated Cobán's coffee reputation to rival Guatemala's celebrated regions like Antigua and Huehuetenango. The estate's Caturra variety, processed through meticulous fully washed and sun-dried methods, yields a cup profile that The Espresso Lab's customers consistently praise for its harmonious complexity: caramel sweetness melding with the bright acidity of red plum and the delicate crispness of nashi pear.

What particularly resonates with The Espresso Lab's philosophy is Santa Isabel's profound commitment to environmental conservation. One-third of the estate remains untouched as a natural reserve, while the remaining land features shade-grown coffee beneath a protective canopy of native trees. Their transition to organic and biodynamic practices, dramatically reducing pesticide dependency through the application of natural microorganisms that enrich soil vitality, has earned them Rainforest Alliance certification—a credential that underscores the values The Espresso Lab seeks in its producing partners. Through our ongoing relationship with Santa Isabel, The Espresso Lab not only brings exceptional Guatemalan coffee to our discerning clientele but also supports a model of agriculture that harmonizes traditional wisdom with progressive innovation, preserving both the extraordinary flavors and the breathtaking natural landscape of Alta Verapaz for generations to come.