Description
In the mist-shrouded mountains of Guatemala's Sierra de las Minas, where ancient cloud forests create one of Central America's most unique coffee terroirs, Don Higinio Gomez and his wife Aura Libia have written an extraordinary chapter in coffee history. Their journey began in 1988 when they ventured east to this remote corner of El Progreso, near the Honduran border, with a single acre of land and an unwavering vision to cultivate exceptional coffee in a place called Las Moritas.
Today, their legacy spans more than 150 acres of carefully tended coffee trees, flourishing at elevations between 1,850 and 1,900 meters above sea level. This remarkable transformation extends far beyond their farm boundaries—what was once an isolated region with just a few potato farms has evolved into a vibrant coffee community where hundreds of families have built homes, established schools, and created thriving businesses, all inspired by the Gomez family's pioneering spirit.
The Sierra de las Minas, designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve covering 242,642 hectares, provides an extraordinary environment for coffee cultivation. This protected cloud forest ecosystem, home to 885 animal species and 63 permanent rivers, creates a unique microclimate characterized by the famous "chipi-chipi"—a gentle, persistent mist that naturally irrigates the coffee trees and contributes to the slow cherry maturation essential for developing complex flavor profiles.
Growing Bourbon, Catuai, and Caturra varieties in this pristine environment, the Gomez family employs traditional cultivation methods perfectly suited to the region's metamorphic rock soils and consistent cloud cover. Their fully washed processing method, combined with careful patio drying, allows the inherent qualities of each varietal to shine through, resulting in a coffee that showcases the distinctive terroir of this highland sanctuary.
After harvest, the precious cherries make their way to Beneficio La Esperanza, a mill with its own storied history of processing exceptional coffees from across Guatemala's diverse growing regions. This partnership ensures that the quality achieved through meticulous farming is preserved and enhanced through expert processing.
Guatemala's position as the world's fourth-largest arabica producer and ninth-largest coffee exporter globally reflects the dedication of farming families like the Gomezes. Coffee remains Guatemala's most significant agricultural export product, accounting for 8% of the nation's agro-industrial exports and providing livelihoods for approximately 125,000 families across the country. The predominantly smallholder structure of Guatemalan coffee—with 97% of producers operating family farms—ensures that communities like Las Moritas continue to thrive while preserving traditional cultivation methods and environmental stewardship.
This exceptional coffee embodies the intersection of conservation, community development, and agricultural excellence that defines modern Guatemalan coffee culture. Each cup tells the story of a family's pioneering vision, a community's transformation, and a commitment to producing world-class coffee while protecting one of Central America's most precious ecosystems.
