At Will & Co, every coffee we roast has a reason for being here. Sometimes it’s about reliability. Sometimes it’s about pushing flavour forward. And sometimes, it’s both. 

For years, Guatemalan coffee has quietly played a starring role in our story – forming the backbone of our signature Eight-O-Eight blend, pouring daily across Australia. It’s a coffee we know inside out, one we’ve trusted for its expert balance, full body and remarkably smooth flavour. 

Now, we’re giving it the spotlight it deserves. 

We’re excited to offer our Guatemalan beans as a signature single origin coffee, letting you experience this iconic origin in its purest form. So, what makes Guatemalan coffee so special? And how does it show up differently when it stands alone in your cup? 

Guatemala: A World-Class Coffee Origin

Guatemala is often described as the jewel of Central American coffee – and for good reason. Its high rainfall, temperate climate and varied landscapes create ideal growing conditions for producing exceptionally high-quality and nuanced coffee, with flavour and aroma shifting from region to region – and even from grower to grower. 

Combined with high elevations and mineral-rich soils, these conditions result in coffees known for their balance, clarity and natural sweetness – what some consider to be some of the best coffee beans in the world. 

There are eight officially recognised coffee-growing regions in Guatemala, as designated by ANACAFE (the National Coffee Association of Guatemala):

• Antigua
• Coban
• Huehuetenango
• Nuevo Oriente
• Atitlan
• Fraijanes Plateau
• Volcan San Marcos
• Acatenango Valley 

These range from lush mountainside farms boasting mineral–rich volcanic soil (Antigua), to humid, subtropical regions with predominantly clay and limestone soil (Coban), to ocean–side growing regions with abundant rainfall (Atitlan). 

For Will & Co, our focus has always been on Antigua – one of Guatemala’s most revered regions and a global benchmark for quality in specialty coffee. 

Why Antigua Coffee Is So Highly Regarded

Antigua sits in a valley surrounded by three volcanoes – Agua, Acatenango and Fuego – and that landscape plays a defining role in the coffee grown here. 

While Agua and Acatenango are dormant, Volcán de Fuego remains active, regularly rumbling away and sending lava and ash into the surrounding valley. Over thousands and thousands of years, this activity has created exceptionally mineral-rich soils, turning Antigua into a true agricultural oasis for coffee growing. Even today, ash from Fuego continues to top up the soil, replenishing nutrients and supporting healthy coffee plants. 

The valley’s distinct microclimate – shaped by elevation, misty mornings, moderate humidity and steady sunlight – creates stable growing conditions year after year. Combined with cooler nights and clearly defined wet and dry seasons, these factors allow coffee cherries to mature slower, concentrating sugars and complex compounds as they develop. 

The result is coffee that’s sweet, smooth and beautifully structured, with clarity and balance in the cup. 

Antigua’s reputation is so strong that some sellers will allegedly label coffee from other regions as Antiguan, or process cherries elsewhere and sell them as Antigua at a premium – which is why careful sourcing matters. 

Varietals, Processing & Flavour

Coffee grown in Antigua is almost exclusively Arabica, with common varietals including Bourbon, Caturra and Catuai – all known for producing balanced, expressive flavours. 

Most Guatemalan coffee farmers use the washed (wet) processing method. After harvesting, they de-pulp the fruity material from the beans, before placing them into fermentation tanks to remove the remaining mucilage. 

Because harvesting and processing take place during the dry season, the washed beans are sun-dried. This slower, natural drying process allows sugars and flavour compounds to develop more fully, enhancing the coffee’s natural sweetness. 

In the cup, Antiguan coffees are often defined by:

• Medium to full body with a smooth, silky texture
• Bright but balanced acidity
• Chocolate, caramel and cocoa sweetness
• Subtle citrus, nutty or floral undertones
• A clean, refined finished 

It’s a profile that’s approachable and versatile – whether you’re brewing at home or ordering your daily coffee on the run. 

Why Guatemala Is the Hero of Eight-O-Eight

We’ve always loved what Antiguan coffee brings to the table, which is why it’s the hero component of our flagship Eight-O-Eight blend. 

In Eight-O-Eight, the washed Guatemalan forms the foundation of the cup, bringing depth, flavour and richness, alongside brightness and natural sweetness. Notes of orange zest and caramel lift the blend, while its structure and clarity help anchor everything in place. 

Paired with a natural Brazilian coffee, which adds weight and body, the Guatemalan ensures the blend holds its flavour and balance when milk is added. 

The result is a coffee that’s smooth, dependable and intentionally built for milk-based brewing – where depth and consistency matter most. 

Guatemala as a Single Origin: A Different Expression

While Guatemala plays beautifully in a blend, it truly shines when it's brewed on its own. 

As a single origin, this coffee shows a more expressive side: 

Fragrant aroma 

Bright, juicy acidity 

Medium body with great structure 

A clean, lingering finish 

You’ll pick up notes of black cherry, apricot, stone fruit and toffee, with a natural sweetness that makes it dangerously easy to keep drinking. 

You can enjoy it with milk, but we think it really comes alive black – as espresso, pour–over or cold brew – where those fruit notes and aromatics take centre stage. 

Related: The Best Coffee Beans for Your Favourite Brew

So, Which One’s for You?

If you love Eight-O-Eight, our single origin Guatemala is a chance to experience a familiar origin in a new way – more nuanced, more expressive and a little more adventurous. 

And if you’re already a single origin drinker, this is a beautifully balanced place to land. 

Same origin. Two expressions. Both rooted in quality, craft and a deep respect for where our coffee comes from. 

If you’re keen to explore further, our range of specialty coffee beans is designed for different brewing styles, tastes and moments – all roasted with the same focus on quality, balance and care.