New, 2008 crop. Now in its fourth generation, the Falla family, growers of La Tacita, has been one of the premier coffee growing families of Guatemala Antigua. Finca (plantation) La Tacita is one of the best cultivated examples of Bourbon trees grown at elevations that exceed 6000 feet above sea level on the mountainside of Volcan Acatenango. Coffee cherry is processed at the family’s beneficio (mill) and then 100% sun dried. Year after year this coffee has consistently scored at or near the top of various cupping events and was a few years ago voted ‘the best’ coffee of Antigua. Further, it has received glowing commentary from the Coffee Review. This coffee enjoys seasonal rain, abundant sun, rich volcanic soil and spring fed waters. The harvests of each parcel spread over a three month season and requires hand picking each plant up to four times to insure a uniformly ripe cherry.
The La Tacita farm is one of a handful of coffees certified as genuine Antigua coffee since that certification became available for coffees from this renowned region. This coffee growing family promotes responsible cultivation, protection of the micro environment and fair wages to their employees through premium coffee production and pricing.
Willoughby’s was very fortunate to have secured a sizable lot of La Tacita this year; in recent years the farm’s entire crop has been sold to Japanese roasters.
Cup Characteristics: La Tacita is clean, bright and complex. Very sweet with fruit-like acidity. It possesses considerable body, chocolatey mouthfeel and a good Antigua’s lightly smoky and zesty character.
