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About Us

Finca Santa Isabel is located in the department of Santa Rosa, 64 kilometres southeast of Guatemala City. The regions volcanic soil and microclimate are ideal for cultivating the finest quality coffee. Our plantations, located at altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 feet (1,000 to 1,500 meters) above sea level, produce Strictly Hard Bean and Hard Bean types. The principal varieties grown at Santa Isabel, Canturra and Catuai, are both from the Arabica coffee family. Ideal climate and natural resources are not the only things that go into producing excellent coffee; precise timing and orderly handling at the processing plant are also critical factors. Isabel Coffee goes through several equally important stages before it is ready for shipping: planting, harvesting, fermenting, washing, drying, milling, roasting, grinding and packaging. We harvest our coffee from November to February. Each cherry is carefully selected, hand picked and then sorted. After the skin is removed, the beans go through a second selection in water where beans of greater density are separated from those less dense. Next, the beans undergo an innovative two-step fermentation, which results in a smoother, cleaner cup. Our gourmet coffee is sun dried in state-of-the-art patios. Once dried the coffee is allowed to rest at least three weeks in isolated silos, which guard against contamination. Afterwards, the coffee is milled at which point it undergoes yet another selection process, which guarantees bean uniformity and a higher quality product. At this stage, the beans are ready for export under the trademark ISABEL as green coffee. Most of our green coffee exports go to European and Asian markets. All the components of the mill were designed at Santa Isabel and built in Guatemala . A percentage of each years crop is retained to be roasted and sold as Isabel 100% Gourmet Coffee. The latest addition to our plant is our roasting facility; it includes a combination of new American-made and locally made machinery. The latest German technology is used for both roasting and packaging. Our specially prepared roasted coffee is sold either ground or whole bean. There are four qualities of coffee and several packaging options to choose from. Air-sealed vacuum and nitrogen flush packaging are both available in quantities ranging from 3 ounces to 5 pounds. We also package in colorful woven bags, which reflect Guatemala s Maya heritage. History In 1899 Federico Keller and his wife, Isabel, founded Finca Santa Isabel in the department of Santa Rosa, 64 kilometres southeast of Guatemala ’s capital city. Located at altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 feet above sea level the plantation produces Strictly Hard Bean and Hard Bean coffees. Finca Santa Isabel has been family owned and operated for four generations. Every step involved in producing an excellent cup of coffee - from the nurseries where the coffee plantations begin to the roasting facility where Isabel Coffee is made ready for consumption - has been carefully planned and supervised with all activities taking place on the premises.

Other Statistics:

Annual Production: 8,000 bags
Soil type: Franc / Clay
Annual precipitation: 1,700 mm
Shade Trees Species: Inga
Beginning of Harvest: November
End of Harvest: February
Relative Humidity: 75%