Gregario Zelada, Guatemala

They grow traditional varieties and use techniques passed down through generations. We’ve been purchasing the communal lot from Hunapú for over 15 years, and this year we’re highlighting lots from individual producers who contribute to this exceptional blend. This microlot comes from Gregario Zelada, a coffee producer from the Antigua Guatemala region, specifically on the Ciudad Vieja side of the valley. Together with his wife Rosa, who serves as his right hand on the farm, they manage most of the agricultural work themselves throughout the year, relying on additional support only during harvest season.

Gregario cultivates Bourbon and Caturra under gravilea shade, focusing on producing coffee with honesty, consistency, and exceptional quality. He is especially recognized for his commitment to harvesting only ripe cherries, consistently achieving around 90% cherry maturation each season.

A highly engaged member of Beneficio Bella Vista’s training programs, Gregario continuously seeks to improve his farming practices and coffee quality through ongoing education and field participation. The ripe cherries are carefully delivered to Beneficio Bella Vista, where the coffee is processed with close attention to quality, traceability, and consistency at every stage.