Huehuetenango

Huehuetenango is the highest non-volcanic growing region in Central America, and it stays frost-free for an unusual reason: dry warm winds coming off the Tehuantepec plain in Mexico meet the cold air coming down from the Cuchumatanes and cancel it out. Without them, coffee could not survive at these altitudes.

It is remote — close to the Mexican border, far from the capital — so almost every farm wet-processes its own coffee rather than delivering cherry to a central mill.

The brightest Guatemalan profile: pronounced citrus and green apple acidity, wine-like intensity, and a clean, sweet finish. Higher-toned and more acidic than Antigua.

Very high limestone highland in the Cuchumatanes range, kept frost-free by warm winds off the Mexican plain.