San Marcos · Variety
Catuai in San Marcos
San Marcos is known for guatemala's warmest, wettest coffee — early-harvest florals from the pacific slope, and Catuai is one of the varieties behind that reputation. The region's farms sit at 1,300–1,800 m — Catuai's preferred range is 900–1,800 m — and harvest runs december – march, the window in which the variety's character is decided in the field.
Catuai brings its own agronomic personality to San Marcos: 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, San Marcos's expression stands apart: the variety contributes chocolate, almond, mild red fruit, while the regional cup runs toward floral aromatics over peach and chocolate; softer acidity than eastern valleys, with distinctive perfumed sweetness. That interaction — genetics times place — is exactly what regional sourcing is about.
Key facts
| Region | San Marcos |
|---|---|
| Country | Guatemala |
| Region altitude | 1,300–1,800 m |
| Variety optimal altitude | 900–1,800 m |
| Harvest | December – March |
| Species | Arabica |
| Lineage | Caturra × Mundo Novo, bred by IAC Brazil (released 1972) |
| Disease resistance | Susceptible to rust |
| Regional cup profile | Floral aromatics over peach and chocolate; softer acidity than eastern valleys, with distinctive perfumed sweetness. |
Catuai in San Marcos — frequently asked questions
Does Catuai grow well in San Marcos?
Yes — the region's 1,300–1,800 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 San Marcos is known for.
What does San Marcos Catuai taste like?
Expect chocolate, almond, mild red fruit, expressed through the region's typical character: floral aromatics over peach and chocolate; softer acidity than eastern valleys, with distinctive perfumed sweetness.
When is Catuai from San Marcos 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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