Fraijanes Plateau · Variety
Catuai in Fraijanes Plateau
Fraijanes Plateau is known for pumice-soil coffee ringing guatemala city beneath the active pacaya volcano, and Catuai is one of the varieties behind that reputation. The region's farms sit at 1,400–1,800 m — Catuai's preferred range is 900–1,800 m — and harvest runs december – february, the window in which the variety's character is decided in the field.
Catuai brings its own agronomic personality to Fraijanes Plateau: a compact, wind-resistant plant with high yield potential, and disease behavior best summarized as susceptible to 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, Fraijanes Plateau's expression stands apart: the variety contributes chocolate, almond, mild red fruit, while the regional cup runs toward bright citrus and green apple over caramel; crisp, defined acidity from mineral pumice soils. That interaction — genetics times place — is exactly what regional sourcing is about.
Key facts
| Region | Fraijanes Plateau |
|---|---|
| Country | Guatemala |
| Region altitude | 1,400–1,800 m |
| Variety optimal altitude | 900–1,800 m |
| Harvest | December – February |
| Species | Arabica |
| Lineage | Caturra × Mundo Novo, bred by IAC Brazil (released 1972) |
| Disease resistance | Susceptible to rust |
| Regional cup profile | Bright citrus and green apple over caramel; crisp, defined acidity from mineral pumice soils. |
Catuai in Fraijanes Plateau — frequently asked questions
Does Catuai grow well in Fraijanes Plateau?
Yes — the region's 1,400–1,800 m range overlaps the variety's preferred 900–1,800 m, and local processing traditions (washed) suit its characteristics. It is one of the varieties Fraijanes Plateau is known for.
What does Fraijanes Plateau Catuai taste like?
Expect chocolate, almond, mild red fruit, expressed through the region's typical character: bright citrus and green apple over caramel; crisp, defined acidity from mineral pumice soils.
When is Catuai from Fraijanes Plateau harvested?
The regional harvest runs december – february; 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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