Cobán · Variety
Caturra in Cobán
Cobán is known for rainforest coffee from guatemala's cloud-soaked north, and Caturra is one of the varieties behind that reputation. The region's farms sit at 1,300–1,500 m — Caturra's preferred range is 1,200–1,900 m — and harvest runs december – march, the window in which the variety's character is decided in the field.
Caturra brings its own agronomic personality to Cobán: a dwarf/compact, high planting density plant with high (with fertilization) yield potential, and disease behavior best summarized as highly susceptible to leaf rust. Regional processing leans on washed, which shapes how the variety's raw material reaches the cup.
Tasted side by side with the same variety from other regions, Cobán's expression stands apart: the variety contributes bright citric acidity, sugar-cane sweetness, lighter body than bourbon, while the regional cup runs toward fresh fruit, wine, and spice with a wet-stone minerality; gentle acidity wrapped in misty-climate softness. That interaction — genetics times place — is exactly what regional sourcing is about.
Key facts
| Region | Cobán |
|---|---|
| Country | Guatemala |
| Region altitude | 1,300–1,500 m |
| Variety optimal altitude | 1,200–1,900 m |
| Harvest | December – March |
| Species | Arabica |
| Lineage | Natural dwarf mutation of Bourbon, discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil (1930s) |
| Disease resistance | Highly susceptible to leaf rust |
| Regional cup profile | Fresh fruit, wine, and spice with a wet-stone minerality; gentle acidity wrapped in misty-climate softness. |
Caturra in Cobán — frequently asked questions
Does Caturra grow well in Cobán?
Yes — the region's 1,300–1,500 m range overlaps the variety's preferred 1,200–1,900 m, and local processing traditions (washed) suit its characteristics. It is one of the varieties Cobán is known for.
What does Cobán Caturra taste like?
Expect bright citric acidity, sugar-cane sweetness, lighter body than bourbon, expressed through the region's typical character: fresh fruit, wine, and spice with a wet-stone minerality; gentle acidity wrapped in misty-climate softness.
When is Caturra from Cobán harvested?
The regional harvest runs december – march; fresh lots typically reach export markets one to three months after milling.
Volcana Coffee grows high-altitude Catimor, Typica, and washed Fine Robusta in our own volcanic region — the Bolaven Plateau, Laos. Compare our terroir against any region in the world, cup to cup.
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