Country: Guatemala
Region: Tajumuco
Process: Washed
Varietals: Bourbon, Caturra, & Pache
Altitude: 1,800-1,900 metres above sea level
 
This sublime coffee hails from the Hunchouen collective, a network of 550 small producers based in the Tajumuco region of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Their farms sit between 1800 and 1900 metres above sea level, where cooler temperatures slow cherry development and support balanced maturation. The coffees grown are a mix of Bourbon, Caturra and Pache, and are typically shaded by a mix of endemic forest trees, banana plants and leguminous shade trees.
 
Established in 1970, the collective connects farmers across the northwestern highlands, focusing on maintaining quality while supporting their communities. The collective is closely tied to the MAIA Impact School, with a contribution from every bag of Hunchouen coffee sold going towards education for Indigenous young women. The coffee therefore sits within a wider framework that links agricultural production with long-term investment in education.
 
‘Guatemala Tajumuco’ comes via Caribbean Goods, a UK importer focused on sourcing high-quality Guatemalan coffee through ethical, transparent trade. By building direct relationships with farmers, they ensure fair pay, sustainability, and exceptional coffee for roasters in the UK.
The business was founded by Javier Gutiérrez Abril, who grew up in Guatemala and still works with farmers he has known since childhood. That background shapes how coffees are selected and how relationships are maintained over time. Caribbean Goods works with a mix of producer models, from large smallholder collectives to long-established family estates. Rather than sourcing opportunistically, the focus is on consistency, traceability and repeat relationships, allowing different types of producers to access the market on stable terms.
 
 
Many thanks to the Hunchouen Collective, Caribbean Goods, and Omwani for allowing me to use their excellent images