Guatemala Finca El Retiro

At 1,650 meters above sea level in Guatemala’s Chimaltenango region, Juan Francisco Pira and his team at Finca El Retiro tend to a diverse collection of coffee varieties. This special lot features the innovative H1 Hybrid—a relatively new variety that combines the hardiness of Sarchimor with the distinctive flavor qualities of Sudan Rume.

Unlike the farm’s more traditional varieties like Bourbon and Pache, these H1 trees were planted just eight years ago. They’re part of El Retiro’s thoughtful approach to coffee cultivation across their 90 hectares, where they maintain multiple varieties to create different flavor experiences.
The team’s attention to detail continues at their wet mill, where they use recycled water for initial processing before finishing with fresh water to ensure clarity in the cup. For special micro-lots like this one, they dry the beans carefully in greenhouse conditions on elevated trays—sometimes taking up to 40 days to reach the perfect moisture level.

All this care translates into a cup with a rich dark chocolate foundation, brightened by distinct hibiscus notes and the gentle sweetness of dried raspberry. It’s a beautiful reflection of both the land and the people behind this coffee.

El Retiro connects you to Guatemala’s coffee heritage through flavors that balance tradition with forward-thinking cultivation.