ORESTHEUS - Guatemala Acatenango La Asuncion Single Origin

ABOUT THE COFFEE

 The fully washed coffees from the La Asuncion Cooperative are traditionally depulped and fermented in washing tanks with fresh water for about 24 hours before being fully washed and dried on patios for approximately 12 to 15 days. Each day-lot is then cupped and separated by cupping profile to manage consistency in the cup.
The cooperative headquarters is located in the town San José Poaquil near Acatenango, Chimaltenango. The Coop members have farms ranging from 1800 to 2000 meters above sea level and receive 1,800 mm of rainfall each year on average. Most of the farms grow coffee under shade from “Chalum”, Grevillea, Avocado, Pine or “Jocote” trees. In the beginning of the 19th century, Don José Morales and his family migrated from Joyabaj Quiche to Canajal, San Martin Jilotepeque. For more than half a century, Don Jose Morales dedicated his life to agriculture. The most important labor was the production of eggs, which was the main income for the Morales family. With time and hard work, Don Jose was able to buy additional land in different towns around San José Poaquil, Chimaltenango. In the 1980’s the Morales’ family introduced the first bourbon coffee plantations, whose nursery came from the region of Acatenango, Chimaltenango. Since then, the coffee plantations have become more significant to the Morales family income and to the surrounding families in the San José Poaquil region. Don Tomas Morales Chitic, grandson of Don José Morales, is currently sustaining the coffee family tradition by promoting the growth and renovation of the coffee plantations. Recently the family decided to unite their efforts and start the “Cooperativa La Asunción”, named after Don José’s wife. Cooperativa La Asunción is the latest iterance of Don Jose’s effort to better commercialize the coffee region with the objective of improving life for more San José Poaquil families.