Belen Gualcho comes from a village of 16,000 nestled in the Ocotepeque mountains of Honduras, where seven smallholder farmers—each working just one to two acres—grow coffee at 1,700 meters above sea level. This lot exists because farmer Jesus Mata made the journey to Alma Coffee's family farm, Finca Terrerito, to introduce himself and his community's work. One cupping later, Alma's team traveled back to verify the farms and their sustainable practices firsthand. The result is this bright, intricate coffee that showcases what high-altitude Honduran terroir can deliver.
Tasting Notes
Expect pronounced acidity that feels clean and lively rather than sharp, with layers of natural sweetness and fruit-forward complexity. The light roast preserves the dense bean structure and allows the coffee's inherent brightness to lead. The body is medium with a smooth, lingering finish that reveals subtle shifts in flavor as it cools. This is coffee for those who appreciate transparency in the cup—what you taste is purely what the soil, altitude, and processing method created.
Brew Methods
Belen Gualcho performs beautifully as pour over (V60, Kalita Wave, Chemex), where the clarity of its acidity and fruit notes can shine. It's equally compelling as a single-origin espresso if you dial in a recipe that preserves brightness without veering into sourness—think shorter ratios around 1:2 to 1:2.2. French press works well for those who want a fuller body, though you'll trade some clarity for texture. Avoid over-extracting; this coffee rewards precision and gentler brewing temperatures (195-200°F).
About the Roaster
Alma Coffee operates their own family farm in Honduras and builds direct relationships with neighboring producers, ensuring fair treatment and sustainable farming practices across their sourcing network.
Our team at Clive can recommend grinder settings and equipment pairings to help you get the most from this high-altitude lot—just reach out.