Central American

Central American

Central America produces some of the world’s most highly regarded coffees, including Costa Rican Tarrazú, Guatemalan Huehuetenango, and Panama’s sought-after Hacienda La Esmeralda. Known for their bright acidity, medium body, and refined flavours, these coffees offer a cleaner, more balanced profile than their South American counterparts, often with subtle chocolatey aromas. Grown at high elevations in volcanic soil and diverse microclimates, flavours vary from farm to farm, but those who love a bright, complex cup will find plenty to explore.

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    Multiple

    Explorer - Rolling Green Bean Subscription

    Explorer - Rolling Green Bean Subscription

    Processing method
    Multiple
    Varietal
    Multiple
    Main flavour notes
    Varies from each coffee

Your guide to Central American

  • Which country in Central America has the best coffee?

    It’s hard to say which Central American country has the “best” coffee beans—it really comes down to your personal taste. This region is a coffee lover’s dream, offering an incredible variety of flavors thanks to its unique climates, rich volcanic soils, and dedication to quality. Here’s a quick guide to what makes coffee from Guatemala, Panama, and Costa Rica stand out:

    Guatemala

    Guatemala is the second-largest coffee producer in Central America and is known for its beautifully balanced coffees. The regions of Antigua, Huehuetenango, and areas near Lake Atitlán produce some of the best beans, thanks to the rich volcanic soil and high altitudes. If you enjoy coffee with medium-high acidity, a medium body, and notes of berries and citrus, you’ll love what Guatemala has to offer.

    Panama

    Panama might be small, but it punches well above its weight in the coffee world, especially with its famed Geisha variety. Originally planted for its resistance to disease, Geisha has become one of the most sought-after coffees in the world for its floral, fruity, and tea-like flavors. More broadly, Panamanian coffee tends to have medium-high acidity, a full mouthfeel, and a mix of citrus, deep berry, chocolate, and fruit notes. If you’re after something elegant and complex, Panama’s coffees are worth exploring.

    Costa Rica

    Costa Rica is all about quality and innovation. The country’s diverse landscapes create a wide range of flavor profiles, but its coffees are known for being clean, balanced, and vibrant. If you try beans from the Tarrazu region, you’ll often find notes of chocolate, berries, apple, honey, and brown sugar, along with a creamy sweetness and lively acidity. Costa Rica is also famous for its honey process, which produces coffees with juicy, sweet, and sometimes more fruity flavours depending on how the beans are dried.

  • How do we source Central American coffee sustainably and transparently?

    We source our Central American coffee through trusted partnerships with four remarkable organisations: Caribbean Goods in Guatemala, Aguilera Coffee Traders in Costa Rica, Ensambles Cafés Mexicanos in Mexico, and Caldera Coffees in Panama. These partners share our commitment to sustainability, transparency, and uplifting the farmers behind every bean.

    In Guatemala, Caribbean Goods works closely with local farmers, ensuring fair practices and sustainable production. Founded by Javier Gutiérrez Abril, whose deep ties to Guatemalan coffee-growing communities inspire his work, the company helps produce exceptional coffees from regions like Antigua and Huehuetenango while creating meaningful opportunities for local farmers.

    Aguilera Coffee Traders in Costa Rica is led by Dylan Aguilera, a third-generation coffee expert whose family has grown coffee for over 60 years. Known for their innovative approaches and exceptional varieties, Aguilera’s team ensures that Costa Rican coffee, especially from regions like Tarrazú, delivers outstanding quality while fostering sustainable partnerships between farmers and roasters.

    In Mexico, Ensambles Cafés Mexicanos emphasises sustainability through shade-grown coffee and direct collaboration with small-scale farmers, while Caldera Coffees celebrates the unique flavours of Panama, including its world-famous Geisha variety. Both partners are passionate about preserving their countries’ coffee heritage while ensuring a transparent, eco-friendly supply chain. By working with these incredible organisations, we bring you coffee that supports both people and the planet.

  • Can you facilitate custom sourcing for specific Central American countries, processing methods, or varietals?

    Yes, we can! With strong partnerships across Central America—Caribbean Goods in Guatemala, Aguilera Coffee Traders in Costa Rica, Ensambles Cafés Mexicanos in Mexico, and Caldera Coffees in Panama—we can source exceptional coffees tailored to your needs. Whether you’re looking for specific varietals, innovative processing methods like honey or natural, or coffees from a particular region, we’re here to help.

    Contact us at hello@greencoffeecollective.com, and let’s find the perfect coffee for you.

Your questions, answered

What is the Green Coffee Collective?

We’re a community of coffee producers and sourcing experts, all working together to make green coffee easy to access—whether you’re a hobby roaster at home or a professional roasting hundreds of tonnes a year. Our platform is designed to simplify buying green coffee, just like any other online shopping experience. No fuss, just great coffee at your fingertips.

Are your coffees ethically and sustainably sourced?

Absolutely! We source all our coffees either directly from producers or through trusted sourcing partners who are just as committed to ethical practices as we are. We take the time to ensure the people behind the coffee are treated fairly. If you want to learn more, you can dive into our values.

How can I get in touch with your team?

We love hearing from our customers. If you’ve got a question or need any help, just shoot us an email at hello@greencoffeecollective.com, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you. We’re always here to make sure you’re taken care of!

What sizes or quantities can I order?

We offer coffee starting from as little as 0.5kg (1 lb) all the way up to full sacks. If you’re looking for larger quantities than what’s listed on our site, just get in touch! We’d be happy to help you organise and place a custom order. We're here to make sure you get exactly what you need.

Do you offer samples or trial batches before committing to larger orders?

Yes, we offer samples for most of our coffees. If you need a larger sample than what’s typically available, we recommend trying one of the smaller quantity options listed on our site. That way, you can test the coffee before committing to a larger order.