Guatemala Jabiru Union Cantinil

Guatemala Jabiru Union Cantinil

Origin: Guatemala
Region: Union Cantinil, Huehuetenango
Estate: Various smallholder farms from Union Cantinil and surrounding communities
Varietal: Arabica (Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, Pache)
Grade: SHB EP (Strictly Hard Bean, European Preparation)
Processing: Washed (depulped, fermented, and sun dried on patios)

Growing Altitude: ~1,500–1,800 masl
Harvest Period: October – March

Cup Profile

Acidity: Bright and lively

Body: Medium to full

Flavour Notes: Dark chocolate, red grape, toffee, caramel, apple and citrus

Aroma: Sweet chocolate and fruit forward aromatics with light floral nuances

Caffeine: Standard for Arabica

Guatemala Jabiru Union Cantinil delivers a clean, balanced and expressive cup typical of high grown Huehuetenango coffees. The washed process enhances clarity and sweetness, while the altitude contributes to vibrant acidity and layered fruit and chocolate characteristics. A versatile coffee that performs beautifully across brew methods.

Roasting Notes

Best Roast Range: City through Full City+

Focus on developing sweetness and structure while maintaining brightness and clarity.

Medium roasts highlight fruit and citrus notes, while slightly deeper development enhances chocolate and caramel tones without muting acidity.

Avoid pushing too dark if you wish to preserve the coffee’s elegance and aromatic complexity.

Use & Applications

Filter Brewing: Excellent clarity and brightness

Espresso: Balanced shots with pronounced sweetness and chocolate depth

Milk Based Drinks: Holds structure while complementing milk sweetness

Batch Brew and Pour Over: Showcases complexity and clean finish

Guatemala Jabiru Union Cantinil

Guatemala Jabiru Union Cantinil is a classic Huehuetenango coffee for people who enjoy balance, clarity, and a refined sweetness in the cup. Sourced from smallholder farms around the Union Cantinil municipality, this coffee performs beautifully as a filter or lighter roast, offering structure and brightness without losing depth.

What “Jabiru Union Cantinil” actually means (and why it matters)

“Jabiru” is the Covoya brand name used for coffees consolidated from multiple smallholder producers in the Union Cantinil area of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Farms in this region are typically small, often around 1–2 hectares, and grow traditional varieties such as Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, and Typica at high altitude.

Union Cantinil refers to the specific municipality within Huehuetenango, a region widely recognised for its high elevations, dramatic temperature shifts, and ideal conditions for slow cherry development. These factors play a key role in creating clarity, sweetness, and complexity in the final cup.

Taste & character in the cup

Expect a medium-bodied cup with a bright but balanced acidity, layered with flavours that often lean toward chocolate biscuit, gentle citrus, and soft brown sugar sweetness. The profile is clean and lively without being sharp, making it an approachable yet characterful choice.

Processing & growing conditions

This coffee is washed processed, with cherries harvested at peak ripeness, depulped, fermented, and then thoroughly washed before being sun dried on patios. This careful process enhances clarity and consistency while allowing the regional character to shine through.

Where it comes from: Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Huehuetenango is one of Guatemala’s most respected coffee growing regions, known for its high altitude farms and non volcanic mountain soils. Union Cantinil sits within this landscape, with local micro warehouses bringing together coffee from nearby producers, helping maintain quality while supporting smallholder livelihoods.