El Xalum, Amatitlan, Guatemala

About

Christian Starry comes from the Czech Republic. His family settled in Guatemala four generations ago to produce coffee. Particularly interested in processes, Christian Junior embarked on the family adventure in 2013. He manages the washing station built at the farm in 2013, which offers a magnificent view overlooking Lake Amatitlan. Natural, fully-washed and honey coffees are dried there on large patios. This microlot of Red Bourbon is prepared naturally and gives a beautiful spicy cup with notes of cinnamon.

The farm El Xalum

Formerly called La Revuelta, this farm was bought by the Starry family in 1995. In the 1800s, the Samayoa family produced natural dyes from cacti. With the arrival of synthetics, the family abandoned its cactus production and diversified to livestock, coffee, corn, beans and various vegetables. In around 1950, the farm was divided up for the different members of the family, and the area where El Xalum sits was bequeathed to the cousin of Christian’s grandmother. Christian and Julia bought the land in 1995. They stopped the other crops to focus only on coffee. Their son, Christian Jr., joined them in their adventure in 2013. He manages the washing station built in 2016.

Christian Starry

The Starry family originates from the Czech Republic. They settled in Guatemala four generations ago, and today produce coffee. Christian Starry and his wife Julia belong to the family’s fourth generation of coffee farmers. Christian Senior and Christian Junior are both members of the Starry family. Christian Sr. manages the farm and Christian Jr. manages the washing station and marketing. The family planted coffee trees on the land when they bought it in 1995. Their son joined them in 2013. They built their own washing station in 2016. The farm was renamed El Xalum in honour of its many shade trees.