Coffee Break in Atitlan, Guatemala

The Land of Perpetual Spring
Atitlan, Guatemala
Part 1

by Martha Hollis
Golf Clubs, Golf Resorts, Golf Courses

Gardeners longing for a lengthy growing season, more than 100 days, should move their plots to Guatemala. In most of the country the annuals and perennials grow year around. This is the land of perpetual spring and incredible gardens.

The green shores of Lake Atitlán, peaked by three spectacular volcanoes—Atitlán,

Tolimán and San Pedro are home to one of the traditional landholder coffee growing areas of Guatemala. In this environment the more than 100 individual

farmers growing these famed beans need no chemicals and produce unbelievable organic coffees.

Blessed with 90 inches of annual rainfall and an average humidity of 70% to 80%, the terraced hillsides and gardens also erupt with creamy avocados and pungent onions. These plants are well hydrated in this cloud forest environment. Migratory birds also find this tall canopy of trees just the place to rest.

The coffee plants, growing at an altitude of 5,000 to 5,600 feet, burst forth with flowers in March and April. Harvesting is done by hand from December to March. The beans are carefully selected, sun dried and treated with the upmost in respect before being exported. Coffee, quite important in the Guatemalan economy, accounts for 20% of her total export earnings with revenues of $540 million, according to the most recently reported statistics. While the United States procures 42% of the exports, Germany and Japan, respectively, purchase 13% and 7%.

The Atitlán varieties include Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, Catuai, and Pache. According to Anacafé, the Guatemalan Coffee Association, the Atitlán is an "excellent bluish-dark-green, good appearance, small bean…rounded bean, compact, irregular and very closed groove." After roasting to a dark brown the texture on the surface is corrugated and uniform.

For the traveler this is a quiet resort haven with a butterfly sanctuary, glorious gardens, quiet sailing, and relaxed shopping in tiny Mayan villages. Locals weaving on hand looms create the time-honored clothing villagers still wear, in colors as vibrant as the gardens. The village of Santa Catarina has a gorgeous blue weave while that of the nearby village of San Antonio is mostly in a passion red.