Hunapu Project
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The Hunapu Project is a collaborative initiative in Guatemala’s Antigua region that aggregates high-quality coffee from approximately 500 smallholder producers. By centralizing processing at the Bella Vista mill, the project enables small farmers to access specialty markets, ensuring consistent quality through standardized washing and drying practices while preserving the distinct regional characteristics of Bourbon, Caturra, and Catuai varieties grown on the slopes of the Agua Volcano.
The Hunapu Project represents a strategic model for specialty coffee production in the Antigua region of Guatemala. The name 'Hunapu' is derived from the K’iche’ language, meaning 'mountain flower,' and serves as the indigenous name for the Agua Volcano. The project functions as a collection and processing network, aggregating coffee cherries from roughly 500 small-scale farmers who cultivate plots typically ranging from one to four hectares in size. These farms are situated on the fertile volcanic slopes of the Agua and Acatenango volcanoes at altitudes between 1,500 and 1,900 meters above sea level.
At the heart of the project’s operations is the Bella Vista mill, a 'beneficio' located at the base of the volcano. This facility is essential to the project's success, as it provides the infrastructure necessary to process harvested cherries into dried parchment. By centralizing the wet and dry milling processes, the project ensures that smallholder farmers—who might otherwise lack the resources to process their own coffee to specialty standards—can produce high-quality, consistent lots that meet the rigorous demands of international roasters.
Luis Pedro Zelaya is widely recognized for his leadership in the Hunapu Project, focusing on the creation of high-quality microlots. The project is known for its emphasis on traditional Guatemalan varieties, primarily Bourbon, though Caturra and Catuai are also commonly grown within the network. The coffee is typically processed using the fully washed method, a technique that highlights the clean mouthfeel and balanced acidity for which Antigua coffees are renowned.
For the producer, the Hunapu Project provides a vital link to specialty markets that might otherwise be inaccessible to individual smallholders. By pooling their harvests, farmers benefit from the economies of scale provided by the Bella Vista mill, which sorts the coffee into specific day lots to maintain traceability and quality control. This structure allows for a more stable income and incentivizes the continued cultivation of high-quality coffee in a region where coffee production has been a cornerstone of the economy since the mid-1800s.
For the roaster and the consumer, the project offers a reliable profile that captures the essence of the Antigua terroir. Tasting notes frequently cited in professional reviews include a balance of sweetness and acidity, with descriptors such as raisin, apple, nectarine, honey, plum, and dark chocolate. The consistency of these lots, achieved through the project's rigorous sorting and processing standards, has made Hunapu a staple offering for many specialty coffee roasters globally.
Today, the Hunapu Project stands as a testament to the effectiveness of collaborative supply chains in the specialty coffee sector. It bridges the gap between small-scale agricultural tradition and the technical requirements of the modern specialty market. By maintaining a focus on regional identity and quality-driven processing, the project continues to support the livelihoods of hundreds of families while preserving the reputation of Antigua as one of the world’s premier coffee-growing regions.