Our Guatemala Maragogype is from the single estate of Finca El Platanillo located on the slopes of the Tacana and Tajumulco volcanoes. Most maragogype production comes from several coffee farms as very few farms have sufficient production of maragogype therefore several farms lots are grouped together to make up a small lot for export. However this is a single estate lot ensuring better consistency and higher quality each year.

Maragogype is one of the so-called ‘heirloom’ varietals that are older plant types that were cultivated for flavour. Modern varietals, in contrast, tend to be optimised for yield, rather than taste. A Maragogype coffee bush may produce less than 1kg of green coffee a year whereas one of the newer high-yield hybrids varietals will easily produce three times as much.

The beans, however, are unique for their very large screen size and are often commonly referred to as ‘elephant beans’. Note that this should not be confused with the ‘elephant ear’ beans that are also selected out and then sold due to their unusual ‘hollow’ appearance. The two are not the same.

The farm also works closely with the EFICO Foundation (http://www.eficofoundation.org/home), an organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable coffee and cocoa production and improving the lives of workers within the industry. Here are more details on their work with El Platanillo - http://www.eficofoundation.org/sites/default/files/guatemala_21_-_promoting_climate-friendly_practices_in_coffee_pilot_project.pdf

With regards to taste it has a rich, bold mouthfeel. It is this rich and bold mouthfeel which is the reason for its popularity among coffee lovers. There is a brightness in the initial taste, which then balances with some deep chocolate notes with a long finish.

Price shown per 500g