Producer: CODECH Cooperative
Altitude:
1500-2000 meters
Varietals:
Caturra, Bourbon, Sarchimor, Anacafe
Process:
Classic washed and sundried on patios
Harvest:
December-March 2024
Region:
Todos Santos, Huehuetenango
About CODECH Cooperative
What We Love
It’s no secret that Guatemalan coffees hold a special place in our hearts, and the coffees from the CODECH Cooperative in Huehuetenango have always impressed us with their remarkable clarity of flavor, a true reflection of the region's ideal growing conditions. This year, for the first time, Wonderstate and CODECH have joined forces on an exciting new project to spotlight coffees from distinct regions and communities. This effort not only showcases the diverse flavor profiles within the region but also strengthens our support for smallholder farmers by paying price premiums for these region-specific selections.
This coffee from Todos Santos shines with its own unique character. In the cup, you’ll find bright notes of crisp bing cherry and citrus, layered with the deep sweetness of caramel and a dessert-like chocolate-hazelnut finish. We believe this is just the beginning of what this region is capable of producing and look forward to exploring more selections from Todos Santos in the years to come.
About the Coffee
At Wonderstate, one of the most exciting parts of our sourcing program is the opportunity to showcase coffees that highlight the unique efforts of specific groups of farmers from distinct regions. We’ve worked on similar projects in Peru, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Mexico, and we continue to find ways to elevate coffees that have traditionally been bulk-blended, masking their unique characteristics, by bringing them to you under their own names.
This year, we teamed up with our long-standing partners at the CODECH Cooperative to introduce a standout coffee from the Todos Santos area. By separating this coffee from the rest of our blends, we’re offering a flavor experience that’s as unique as the region itself.
Just 30 minutes southeast of CODECH’s headquarters, San Martín Cuchumatán is a small community nestled at the edge of the renowned Sierra de los Cuchumatanes mountain range. As our team tasted through micro-lots from the cooperative, it became clear that coffees from San Martín are truly special. Many of the farms in this area are located at higher elevations, benefiting from cooler temperatures that help develop a distinct profile in the cup.
This year, we were able to purchase a coffee exclusively from the San Martín community to create our newest perennial offering: Todos Santos—a name that pays homage to the region it comes from.
By highlighting coffee from the producers of Todos Santos, we’re able to pay a price premium to the cooperative, supporting the growth and sustainability of smallholder farmers in the community. This coffee is a window into the unique climate of Todos Santos and the exceptional flavors that can only come from this special region.
About the Producer
In Guatemala, the vast majority of coffee farmers—100% of our producer partners, in fact—are campesinos: rural and indigenous smallholder farmers. These producers typically manage an average of just five acres of land, with some farming as little as two acres. Most have grown up immersed in coffee production or agriculture and continue this path because it reflects their historic values, worldview, and cultural traditions. They take immense pride in being coffee producers.
Historically, Guatemalan coffees were often categorized as mid-level or commodity-grade in terms of quality. But today, there’s growing recognition that Guatemala produces truly exceptional coffees, with diverse and vibrant cup profiles. While many of these top-tier coffees come from large, wealthy farms, we’ve discovered outstanding quality within cooperatively organized, smallholder, organic farms on the margins.
Wonderstate has found some of Guatemala’s finest coffees in the remote highlands of Huehuetenango. Here, we’ve partnered with the CODECH Cooperative to source coffees for some of our most beloved blends, including Flyway, Heartstrings, and Big Dipper. We also offer a range of micro-lots that showcase the diverse flavor profiles and unique qualities nurtured by this cooperative. What sets CODECH apart is its unwavering commitment to quality and organization. From their lab to the receiving bodegas and out in the field, CODECH invests heavily in training both their staff and farmer members, resulting in coffees that capture the distinct flavors we adore from Huehuetenango—whether it’s the comforting chocolate-forward profiles or the vibrant, fruit-driven micro-lots.
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