Coffee thrives in Guatemala because of the country’s microclimates (or variety of climates across the country). These microclimates are the specific conditions which help the coffee grow and thrive. Microclimates in Guatemala include those created by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans (Guatemala touches both). Volcanic ash and soil also create microclimates. One of the most important climate factors is high altitude. Guatemala has high altitudes thanks to the mountains. Coffee has the strongest taste when it grows in high places. If the coffee plants could talk, they would be thank the special shade trees that hover over them. Finca Filadelfia uses castor oil trees and evergreen trees for shade and for protection from the elements like frost and wind. These shade trees also provide important levels of nitrogen and oxygen. Other natural allies to the coffee plant are birds and bees. Since Finca Filadelfia is “eco-friendly”, they use bees to boost the pollination of the coffee plant. These bees produce a special honey from coffee which you can buy in a jar!
Arabica coffee plants are magical things, but they are not without their weaknesses. The coffee fruits are vulnerable to diseases, worms and the effects of climate change. When the plant begins as a bush, it is particularly delicate. In the grafting process I mentioned earlier, workers insert the thicker stem of a Robusta coffee plant (a more bitter variety coffee) onto the Arabica to give it a stronger base. As a side note: it is very interesting that only women do this job.
