Introduced in the mid 18th Century, coffee became an important crop a century later supplanting indigo as the most important cash crop. Coffee is grown in various regions of the country over various altitudes.

Guatemalan coffee may be traceable down to farm level or cooperative or producer group. Similar to other Central American countries, Guatemala used a local version of altitude grazing.

Prime—grown at 750-900 Meters

Extra Prime—grown at 900-1050 Meters

Semi Hard Bean—grown at 1050-1220 Meters

Hard Bean— grown at 1220-1300 Meters

Strictly hard bean—grown at over 1300 Meters

A wide range of flavors are present in Guatemala’s coffees, from lighter, very sweet, fruity and complex coffees through to heavier richer and more chocolatey cups.