Central America produces 15 percent of the world’s Arabica coffee – and coffee is essential to the region as well, where more than 1.3 million people depend on coffee cultivation.
ENDURAY
Regions: Agalta, Comayagua, Copan, Mentecillos, Opalca, El Paraiso
Common Varieties: Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, Typica, some experimental varieties
Process: Washed
Grading: HG (High Grown), SHG (Strictly High Grown)
Harvest Period: November–April
COSTA RICA
Regions: Central Valley, West Valley, Brunca, Tarrazú, Tobosi, Tres Ríos, Turrialba
Common Varieties: Caturra, Catuai, Bourbon, Villa Sarchi, Villa Lobos, SL-28, Gesha
Process: Washed, Natural, Honey
Grading: HB (Hard Bean), MHB (Medium Hard Bean), GHB (Good Hard Bean – grown from 1,000–1188 meters), SHB (Strictly Hard Bean, grown above 1,350 meters)
Harvest Period: December–April
NICARAGUA
Regions: Jinotega, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia
Common Varieties: Bourbon, Catuai, Catimor, Caturra, Maragogype
Process: Washed, some select other processes on occasion
Grading: HG (High Grown), SHG (Strictly High Grown)
Harvest Period: October–March
PANAMA
Regions: Boquete, Renacimiento, Volcán
Common Varieties: Catuai, Caturra, Geisha, Mundo Novo, Pache
Process: Washed, Natural
Grading: Excelso 15, Excelso 16, Supremo 17,
Supremo 18, Supremo 19
Harvest Period: November–March
EL SALVADOR
Regions: Apaneca, Tecapa-Chinameca, Chalatenango, Chinchontepec, Metapán, Santa Ana
Common Varieties: Bourbon, Pacamara, Pacas, Typica
Process: Washed, Natural, Honey
Grading: HG (High Grown, 900–1200 masl), SHG (Strictly High Grown, 1200+ masl)
Harvest Period: November–April
GUATEMALA
Regions: Acatenango, Huehuetenango, Antigua, Atitlan, Chimaltenango, Cobán, Fraijanes, Nuevo Oriente
Common Varieties: Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, Typica, Maragogype, Pache
Process: Washed, Natural
Grading: HB (Hard Bean, 1350–1500 masl), FHB (Fancy Hard Bean, 1500–1600 masl), SHB (Strictly Hard Bean, 1600–1700 masl) Bag Size – 69 kg
Harvest Period: September–April
MEXICO
Regions: Oaxaca, Chiapas, Colima, Guerrero, Veracruz
Common Varieties: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, Mundo Novo, Maragogype, Catimor, Catuai
Process: Washed
Grading: HG (High Grown), SHG (Strictly High Grown)
Harvest Period: November–March