Del Valle

Find out more about this coffee

Marvin Carias and his family are coffee producers who operate their own washing station.

This lot is made up of cherries grown by Marvin and his family, as well as those cultivated by neighbouring smallholder farmers who trust him to bring out the very best in their coffees through careful processing.

In return, Marvin maintains exceptionally high standards, accepting only cherries picked at their optimum ripeness.

Every stage of the process is managed with great attention to detail, while full traceability is maintained back to each individual farm.

This collaborative approach ensures outstanding quality in the final cup and helps create the conditions for a more sustainable and dignified livelihood for everyone involved.

For this washed lot, the coffee cherries are first depulped to separate the seeds from the fruit. The beans are then washed and dried on patios overlooking the lush, forested landscape of Jalapa.

Meet the producer

Del Valle: the taste of collaboration from the highlands of Guatemala

A coffee built of shared effort

Grown in the highlands of Fraijanes, Guatemala, between 1,600 and 1,700 metres above sea level, Del Valle is a coffee that reflects the value of collaboration and a commitment to quality. More than simply a coffee from origin, it is the result of the combined efforts of several farming families working together to produce a sweet, balanced and characterful cup.

This lot is led by Marvin Carias and his family, experienced coffee producers who operate their own washing station. Alongside processing coffee from their own farms, Marvin works closely with neighbouring smallholder farmers who trust him to bring out the very best in their coffees. This relationship benefits everyone involved: producers gain access to meticulous and professional processing, while Marvin is able to assemble some of the finest lots in the region, maintaining full traceability back to each individual farm.

The importance of doing things properly

The quality of Del Valle begins long before the coffee reaches the washing station. Marvin only accepts cherries that have been picked at their optimum level of ripeness, a detail that may seem simple but has a significant impact on the final cup. Careful selection of the raw material helps preserve the coffee’s natural sweetness and ensures a clean and consistent flavour profile.

Once the cherries arrive at the washing station, the washed process begins. The seeds are first separated from the fruit, removing the outer layers of pulp. The beans are then carefully washed and dried on open patios, taking advantage of the region’s favourable climate. Throughout this process, the coffee develops clarity, balance and a more precise expression of its origin.

The result is a lot made up of Bourbon, Caturra and Catuaí varieties, three classic Central American cultivars renowned for producing sweet, approachable flavour profiles when grown at altitude and processed with care.

A cup to enjoy every day

Del Valle is one of those coffees that wins you over from the very first sip thanks to its balance and drinkability. In the cup, expect notes of praline, chocolate and almond, evoking traditional desserts and roasted nuts. Its sweet and comforting profile makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a rounded, approachable espresso without sacrificing the complexity that defines speciality coffee.

Its natural sweetness, creamy body and gentle acidity allow it to perform particularly well as espresso, where it showcases its richness and texture. It also shines in bean-to-cup machines and moka pots, methods that highlight its chocolatey and nutty characteristics with remarkable clarity.

A positive impact beyond the cup

Every purchase of this coffee supports a collaborative model that benefits smallholder producers. Thanks to Marvin’s leadership and the dedication of the families involved in this lot, it is possible to maintain high quality standards while gaining access to markets that recognise and reward that effort.

Del Valle is, ultimately, a coffee that represents some of the very best of Guatemala: a combination of tradition, expertise and collective commitment, resulting in a sweet, balanced and deeply satisfying cup.