Coffee Tasting in Guatemala City

Guatemala has long been famous for its coffee, but, until recently, the high-quality beans were earmarked for export. This meant Guatemalans rarely got to try the best coffee, while those in Europe and the United States enjoyed it. However, all that changed in recent years with the growth of specialty coffee shops in the Central American nation.

Most are found in the capital, Guatemala City, and especially in the rapidly-gentrifying neighborhood of Zone 4. This previously crime-riddled area is now home to a number of top coffee shops, including Paradigma and El Injerto, where you can try coffee from around the country.

Traceability is a major factor these days, with third-wave baristas taking great interest in every step of the coffee-making process. You will find varieties from Huehuetenango, Coban, and other famous coffee-producing areas of Guatemala.

If you really want to get into coffee, you can take a course at the Anacafe Coffee School in Guatemala City. Here, eager students are taught how to make the perfect cup of Joe using a variety of different methods, from French press to the Melitta pour-over technique.

In the colonial town of Antigua, an hour away from the capital, specialty coffee has also become more popular. Check out Fat Cat and Café Sol as you wander the cobbled streets.