Our Direct Trade partners farm and process exceptional coffee throughout Latin America.

Guatemala | Juan Diego de la Cerda, Finca El Socorro y Anexos

 Guatemala Department

Finca El Socorro, owned by Juan Diego de la Cerda and his family, has proven itself to be one of the best coffee farms in Guatemala. In 2011, their Maracaturra took 1st place in the Guatemala Cup of Excellence. In 2012 Juan Diego was awarded again, finishing in the top five of the Coffee of the Year competition. Most recently, El Socorro's washed Gesha took first place in the 2020 and 2023 Cup of Excellence!

Juan Diego has worked hard to expand the farm, increase production by planting several new varieties, and improve milling and drying on the patio. The coffee is grown at over 5,500 feet and the wet mill is located at nearly 4,600 feet, which requires special attention at all times to achieve quality coffee due to the elevation.

Coffee cherries at Finca el Socorro y Annexos

On our visits to the farm in Palencia, we have watched as Juan Diego coaches the pickers on proper cherry selection and constantly works in the mill to make sure the pulpers are running at peak efficiency and fermentation times are accurate. Drying at this altitude requires a constant attention to detail, as the process is slow and even a little rain can damage the processed parchment. Each night the parchment is swept up and covered to protect it from any rains that may occur.

In recent years Juan Diego has built raised drying beds, which will allow him to produce more natural and honey-process coffees on the farm. Quality is the highest priority for everyone at Finca El Socorro and that’s why we love working with Juan Diego, his family, and the staff.

Juan Diego de la Cerda with raised drying beds

Finca El Socorro is a Rainforest Alliance Certified farm and a model of sustainable farm management. The river that bisects the farm provides all the water for the wet mill, and solar panels generate nearly all the electricity needed for daily operations.

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Available now:
 
Past offerings from Finca El Socorro:
 
2024
Laurina Washed
 
2023
Pacamara Washed
Finca El Socorro Sampler
Maracaturra Washed
 
2022
Gesha Washed
Java Washed
Pacamara Washed
Maracaturra Washed
 
2021
Cup of Excellence Gesha
Maracaturra Honey
Java
 
2020
Pacamara Washed
Laurina Washed
Maracaturra
  
2019
Maracaturra
Laurina
Red Bourbon
 
2018
Java
 
2017
Annonos Maracaturra
Santa Teresa Maracaturra
Yellow Reserve
 
2016
Maracaturra
Pacamara Honey
 
2015
Maracaturra
Pacamara
Palo Alto
 
2014
Maracaturra
Pacamara
Yellow Reserve
 
2013
Maracaturra
Yellow Reserve
 

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