NL Las Camelias, Guatemala
| Price per 1kg. |
€ 56,00 |
|---|---|
| Price updated: |
14th Sep 2025 |
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Door te kiezen voor een verpakking van 250 gram |
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Beans Parameters
Caffeine: With caffeine
Altitudes: High-Altitude Coffee
Additional
Las Camelias is a single origin from La Libertad, Huehuetenango at 1790 meters. The Vides family mainly cultivates Caturra and Bourbon with additions such as Catuai and Sarchimor. The bean shines at a medium roast with notes of chocolate, caramel, marzipan and black cherry and a creamy milk-chocolate body. An anaerobic natural fermentation of 36 hours, followed by 20 days of drying on African beds, enhances the sweet fruitiness. Direct trade ensures fair prices and transparency, and local projects for women and the environment are in place. Brewing recommendation: espresso 18 to 19 grams, filter 6.5 grams per 100 milliliters, water around 92 to 94 degrees.
More About Las Camelias, Guatemala
Origin and farm
The Las Camelias bean comes from a single farm in La Libertad (Huehuetenango, Guatemala). The plantation is located at around 1,790 meters altitude and covers approximately 15 hectares. This farm has been managed for generations by the Vides family (originally Silvano Hidalgo, now Juan José Ariano). Don Silvano named the plantation 'Las Camelias' after the camellias in his garden, a symbol of beauty and quality.
Roast profile
Based on cuppings, Las Camelias performs best around a medium roast. Light roasting reveals fruity, sweet notes such as cinnamon cookie and caramel. Darker roasting brings a chocolate-like body and a syrupy texture. Sweet Maria's recommends a roast level between City and Full City+ (medium), which pairs well with a rich espresso.
Flavor and aroma
- Distinctive flavors: chocolate, caramel, marzipan and black cherry take center stage.
- Cuppings also note dried fruit (plum, red apple) and a creamy milk-chocolate body.
- The coffee has a juicy stone-fruit note with hints of toffee and mild spices.
- Additionally, an herbal-tea-like finish adds extra complexity.
Processing Method
Las Camelias uses a special anaerobic natural method. After picking, the ripe cherries ferment for 36 hours in sealed tanks without water. The beans are then dried for 20 days on African drying beds (16 kg/m²), being moved five times a day and covered at night. This technique (without added water) gives the coffee extra fruity and sweet aromas. For comparison: Ritual Coffee's Las Camelias lot is fully washed, fermented (24 hours) and then dried for 10 days.
Variety and species
This coffee is 100% Arabica. The plantation mainly grows the heirloom varieties Caturra and Bourbon. Catuai (and in other lots sometimes San Ramón) are also present in the blend. Recently the hybrid Sarchimor has been added to the plantings. This mix of varieties contributes both lively fruity acidity and a full, rich body.
Sustainability and ethics
- Man Met Bril operates via direct trade: farmers deliver directly without intermediaries and receive a fair price for their coffee.
- The packaging lists the origin (Guatemala, Finca Las Camelias) and a brewing recommendation, making it transparent where the coffee comes from.
- Partner Koffie Kenner contributes extra funds to the farmers, enabling them to invest in sustainable production methods and better living conditions.
- At Finca Las Camelias the family supports projects for women in the coffee industry (e.g. quality control by Maria Vides).
- Farmers in the region also take environmental measures, such as managing processing wastewater and planting shade trees to support biodiversity.
Brewing Recommendations
- Espresso: 18–19 g finely ground coffee, prepare 38–42 ml of espresso in ~28 seconds.
- Filter: 6.5 g coarsely ground per 100 ml of water, with a brew time of 2.5–3.5 minutes.
- General tip: use freshly ground beans and water around 92–94°C for optimal flavor.
- Man Met Bril clearly lists the brewing recommendation on the packaging so the coffee consistently brews at its best.
Reviews and prices
- Sweet Maria’s gave Las Camelias a score of 87.2 points (out of 100).
- A coffee wholesaler recorded a target score of 87 for a Las Camelias lot.
- Vertue Coffee describes the coffee as 'delicate, sweet' with complex biscuit notes and fresh citrus nuances.
- These high scores indicate top quality: coffees scoring around 87 points are among the best beans.
Packaging and design
The coffee is sold in 250 g bags featuring the distinctive Man Met Bril logo (a man with glasses). The label clearly states the origin (Guatemala, Finca Las Camelias) and the brewing recommendation, along with the tasting notes. The matte, minimalist packaging seals airtight so the beans stay fresh longer and the brand looks fresh.
Availability and price
- Man Met Bril charges €14.00 (incl. VAT) for 250 g of Las Camelias.
- That comes to about €56 per kilo.
- The coffee is available via the Man Met Bril webshop and in their shop in Rotterdam (single-origin, limited edition).
- Internationally, Ritual Coffee offers ~340 g Las Camelias for $23.25 (comparable price).
- In summary: the bean can be found at specialty stores and online, not in regular supermarkets.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.