The Chajulense(CHA-hoo-len-seh) Cooperative is in the Cuchumatanes Mountains, near the town of San Gaspar Chajul. Its indigenous members primarily
speak Ixil.
In the rural highlands of Guatemala, you can tell where a woman lives by the patterns on her huipil, or traditional blouse. The beautifully woven and embroidered motifs are unique to each community. In a similar way, astute coffee lovers can discern a Guatemalan bean’s geographic provenance by the distinctive flavor and aroma patterns imparted by its environment.
Guatemala boasts eight distinct coffee growing regions, each with its own personality and expression in the cup. Beans for Guatemala Chajulense were hand-selected from two farming communities perched high in the Cuchumatanes Mountains. Because these farms sit at high altitudes, the coffee they produce offers vibrant acidity and a resonant depth. But while one community is creating coffee with deep milk chocolate notes, the other offers beans with bright fruit flavors. Blended together, they are a perfectly balanced selection for our Special Reserve program. Farmers from both communities belong to Asociación Chajulense, a Fair Trade Certified™ cooperative.
On a recent trip to Guatemala, our Lindsey Bolger teamed up at the cupping table with cooperative president Arcadio Daniel Galindo and head cupper Arsemio Rivera Molina to identify beans that best displayed the unique qualities of coffee grown in regions around Chajul.
“The small lots we’ve selected for our Guatemala Chajulense Special Reserve offering display lovely flavors of juicy red fruits and citrus, enhanced by deep chocolate, almond and honey notes,” Lindsey says. “They are a reflection of the cooperative’s dedication to excellence in the cup and service to its members.”