Guatemala / Blue Ayarza

Varieties: Bourbon, Catuai, Pache, Anacafe 14
Growing Altitude: 1,400 - 2,000 masl
Processing Method: Natural

The region of Ayarza is a special one, landmarked by the drastic landscape and cold blue water from the Laguna de Ayarza and Laguna Azul. The lake was formed by two massive volcanos that collapsed and formed a large crater. The legends surrounding this lake are numerous like the one that says the bottom has never been found. There is a large white rock that resembles a petrified woman who didn’t follow the orders of Jesus. In short, there are simply too many good stories about Ayarza to do it justice!

Covoya Guatemala always knew the region had massive potential to produce specialty coffee, but the cups that they found were usually solid but unsurprising. Four years ago they rented a wet mill at 1,500 meters on a Rainforest Alliance certified farm. The quality coming from the washed coffee was much better than expected, and next they tried the honey and maceration processes.

For natural-processed coffees under the Blue Ayarza mark, the best cherries from small holders in the region deliver to Covoya's mill, often in their own pickup trucks. Cherry is sent to Amatitilan for drying, the coffee starts for 10 days on the patio. To finish the coffee is mechanically dried for 5-10 hours.