The ASPROGUATE co-op consists of approximately 1900 very small producers spread over three different growing areas, including Acatenango, Atitlan, and San Martin. By “small producer” we mean they only own a single hectare or so of land and produce an average of only 3-10 bags of coffee annually. The co-op is only three years old and was the result of a TechnoServe project in that area. TechnoServe is a nonprofit organization that helps disadvantaged communities develop sustainable businesses. In this case they helped these very small producers improve their quality and gain market access. TechnoServe’s goal is to stabilize the business, and then hand it off to the people who are most invested—namely, the producers of ASPROGUATE. This particular lot comes from producers on the flanks of “Volcan Acatenango”. The area is volcanically active, with constant eruptions from nearby “Volcan de Fuego” dispersing nutrients and ash to the young and productive soils. Flavors of milk chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut can be tasted in this fully washed coffee, with additional twists of orange zest adding to its complexity. The result is medium bodied, balanced and sweet.