Bourbon is no longer the most common varietal these days throughout Antigua but this heirloon cultivar offers sweet, concentrated flavors due to its relatively low yield, somewhat small size and the high elevation where it is grown. This is further enhanced by Finca La Tacita's approach to sustainability. They use two tiers of shade tree with naturally occurring oak forming the top tier and planted Grevilla and Macadamia forming the lower tier. These shade trees provide a canopy which allows coffee to grow more slowly and its sweetness is heightened. This type of canopy also provide habitat for wildlife, erosion protection and fosters organic compost. La Tacita also plants rows of nitrogen fixing black beans between rows of coffee.

Antigua, Guatemala's former 16th century capital, was abandoned by the 18th century because of the frequency of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The Falla family bought property in Antigua in 1890 and has been farming since. Over the years, their sizeable overall holdings were divided among heirs with much of the land being used for coffee and other farming. La Tacita itself was land used for cattle grazing until about 30 years ago and was then found to be ideal for growing coffee. The Falla family also owns Finca San Sebastian, a wonderful coffee hardly seen in the US today, all of it going to Europe and Asia. La Tacita, which means 'little cup' is so named for the punchbowl shape of the property, is the adjacent farm. It is one of roughly fifty genuine Antigua farms and consistently produces one of the finest coffees available there.

Coffee cherry is processed at the family's beneficio and then 100% sun dried. Year after year this coffee has consistently scored at or near the top of various cupping events and several 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 their micro environment and fair wages to their employees through premium coffee production and pricing. The family's other holdings include the famed Finca San Sebastian.

Cup characteristics: Clean, bright and complex. It possesses considerable body, mouthfeel and a good Antigua's lightly smoky and zesty character.