Faustin Chen - Guatemala

The Coffee

Region: Chichupak, Baja Verapaz, Coban
Varietal(s): Bourbon
Processing method: Washed
Elevation: 1600 - 2000 masl

The Story

This washed top lot is from Chichupak Co-operative in Chichupak, Coban. The members of Chichupak are very close, most have known each other all their lives. Faustín Chen is the leader in their community. Together with association president Mario Sic they have worked hard to increase quality and ultimately improve incomes for their members, for whom coffee is their most important cash crop. 

Chichupak members are known to take very good care of their farms, from the seedlings through to the harvest time when they hand select the only best coffee cherries for processing. The coffee production in the community is very traditional. Once the coffee is picked they take their coffee cherry to the co-op mill where every member can access to depulpers, fermentation tanks, wash channels, African beds and patios. The Chichupak mill also has its own honey water treatment plant to ensure waste water is fully decontaminated and avoid negative ecological impact in the community.