Guatemala Francisco Alonso Chiroy (microlot)

Francisco Alonso Chiroy is the producer behind Finca Alonzo, a 1.4-hectare coffee farm located in the hamlet of Turbalá, Cubulco, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala. Francisco has owned and operated the farm for nine years, naming it after his family surname. Situated at 1,750 meters above sea level, Finca Alonzo is planted with Catimor and Lempira varieties. Francisco works alongside family members and seasonal laborers to care for the farm throughout the year. Coffee production provides a vital source of income, allowing him to support his family while continuing to invest in his community.

This harvest season, we were honored to partner with the community to support a local Coffee Kinder program. The students, teachers, and families were deeply grateful for the assistance. It was the first time this community had received this type of support, and the impact was significant. The public school serving Turbalá is among the most under-resourced schools we have visited in Guatemala. We hope to continue supporting this special community and its children in the years ahead.

At Finca Alonzo, quality is built into every step of the coffee production process. After harvest, ripe coffee cherries are fed through a pulper, where water is used to help separate the fruit from the seed. The parchment coffee is then fermented in sacks for approximately 24 hours before being thoroughly washed in large outdoor tanks. Wastewater is responsibly directed to a septic system. After washing, the coffee is spread out on tarps and sacks to dry in the yard. Depending on weather conditions, drying takes approximately five days in sunny weather and up to seven days during cloudier periods. Francisco’s careful attention to detail throughout the process helps produce coffee of exceptional quality.

Turbalá, located about 90 minutes from Cubulco, is a beautiful and vibrant mountain community in Baja Verapaz. Surrounded by forests, rivers, rugged mountains, and a breathtaking 100-meter waterfall, the region is rich in both natural beauty and cultural heritage. Many residents speak Achí, reflecting the area’s deep Indigenous roots. The high elevations, diverse ecosystem, and favorable climate create ideal conditions for growing specialty coffee with distinctive flavor profiles. Producers like Francisco play an important role in showcasing the remarkable potential of Turbalá, bringing attention to both the quality of its coffees and the strength of its community. The region’s stunning landscape and rich biodiversity make it one of Guatemala’s hidden gems in the world of specialty coffee.