Purple Fruit, Honeysuckle, Peach

Variety: Bourbon, Caturra

Processing: Washed

Origin: Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Producers: Francisco Cardona Martin

Altitude: 1850-2000

Francisco called his farm "The Beehive" because he loves his bees. Happily buzzing about the farm pollinating his coffees plants, bees make the honey which provides a secondary income for the farm.

Driving the narrow mountain road up the impossibly steep switchbacks to Finca La Colmenita the views are striking. There's a reason this area is called Buena Vista. Far below, the deep valleys of San Pedro Necta stretch out and verdant ridges cast shadows from above. La Colmenita is nearly at the top and it's in the clouds a lot of the time.


When Francisco Cardona Martin bought La Colmenita in 2002, he had a vision: To produce the best quality coffees possible, by planting varieties known for excellence in separation, and investing heavily in innovative farming techniques. Primarily, Francisco cultivates Caturra and Bourbon plants beneath chalum, gravilea, and mature pine trees. Francisco is incredibly resourceful, investing nearly all profits from coffee sold back into the farm. He's beloved in the local community, a kind and cheerful presence. Those who know him well call him "Chico Cardona” and I feel you get to know him just a little bit when you drink his delicious coffee.