The Farm:

Finca El Potrero is managed by Josué Morales, the founder of Los Volcanes, and Loyren Orozco, the agronomist for the owner Don Juan De León. Due to Don Juan's health problems, Los Volcanes Coffee (LVC) took over management of the farm to continue its development. The farm was initially planted with pine trees as part of an agroforestry project, and LVC began planting coffee on slopes preserved with native trees.

A key aspect of the project is improving soil health, including incorporating coffee pulp as a by-product of the harvest and exploiting the organic matter and moisture from falling pine needles. The farm also serves as a propagation and testing site for various coffee genetic materials, with Anacafé 14 making up the majority of the currently planted area. Expansion plans include planting an additional 6 hectares of coffee with new genetic material over the next two years, in partnership with laboratories in Ethiopia and Latin America, and an additional 4 hectares in 2024 following soil preparation.

Finca El Potrero is located in Alotenango, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, at an altitude of 1,350-1,450 meters. The farm covers a total area of 27 hectares, of which 12 hectares are cultivated. It is an organic farm with sandy soil, shade-loving pines and native trees, and an average temperature of 18-32°C. The main cultivars include Sarchimor, Anacafé 14, Caturra, and Bourbon. Harvesting takes place from November to March, with wet processing and patio drying.

The Variety:

Paraíso MG H 419-1 is a variety developed in Brazil (a selection from a Catuaí × Timor cross): compact, productive, and known for its good rust resistance, while producing good-sized berries and a neat cup profile. These traits explain why it is beginning to be tested in Central America.

In 2016, Josué undertook to import three Brazilian varieties—Arara, Topazio, and Paraiso to Guatemala. After a tremendous amount of bureaucratic work and great patience, the Los Volcanes team planted these three varieties on different farms across the country. This specific batch of Paraiso is the first seven jute bags of Brazilian varieties cultivated by Josué in Guatemala.

Tasting Notes

🍮 Toffee - 🍊orange  - 🫐 Blueberry

Technical Information

Country/Region: Guatemala / Antigua Guatemala

Department/Municipality: Sacatepéquez / Alotenango

Altitude: 1350-1450 meters

Cultivated area: 12 hectares (total area: 27 hectares)

Type of agriculture: Organic

Shade types: Pines and native trees

Main cultivars: Sarchimor, Anacafé 14, Caturra, Bourbon, and Paraiso

Harvest: November to March

Processing: Washed

Drying: Patio

The relationship:

Josué Morales is Damien's mentor, and they have known each other since 2015. What began as a final-year internship has blossomed into a deep and sincere friendship. After five years at Lomi in Paris, Damien returned to work with Josué to represent his Guatemalan and Brazilian coffees in Europe.

We traveled to Guatemala together in 2024 to begin discussing specific projects with Josué that could benefit Parcel in the long term. For the launch of our roastery, we chose to work with three farms in the Antigua region: Finca Relampago, Finca El Potrero, and Finca San José Ocana.