The highest and driest of ANACAFÉ's three non-volcanic regions, with cups described as intensely acidic, full-bodied and winey.
Huehuetenango, in the western highlands, is the highest and driest of ANACAFÉ's three non-volcanic coffee regions. Dry, hot winds from Mexico's Tehuantepec plain protect it from frost, so coffee is grown up to about 2,000 m, and its remoteness means most producers process their own coffee. The department has grown coffee since the 19th century (248 plantations by 1883), and coffee was still its most exported product in 2008.
Field notes
- i
Huehuetenango's elevation runs from about 300 m to about 3,350 m across the department, one of the widest ranges of any Guatemalan coffee-growing area.
- ii
In the 2026 Guatemala Cup of Excellence results, Huehuetenango farms took first place in all three categories, and the highest bid on the page was $449.10 per pound for a natural Geisha lot from El Injerto I.
- iii
ANACAFÉ says the region has almost endless rivers and streams, so a mill can go almost anywhere, and its remoteness means most producers process their own coffee.
In the cup, according to guides
- AcidityMoreANACAFÉ describes a fine, intense acidity with full body and pleasant wine notes.
- WineyOften notedPleasant wine notes are part of the ANACAFÉ profile.
Within Huehuetenango
Elsewhere in Guatemala
Sources · 4 Every sentence here was checked against a source we read. Taste notes are what guides describe, not promises about your bag. Last revised 2026-11-10. Some details here are less settled than others.
- Huehuetenango Department · Wikipedia
- Highland Huehue region profile · Anacafé (Guatemalan Coffees)
- Cup of Excellence Guatemala 2026 results · Alliance for Coffee Excellence
- Cup of Excellence Guatemala 2024 results · Alliance for Coffee Excellence