Five Elephant - Guatemala El Socorro Geisha Hot Washed Filter 250g

Whole-bean specialty coffee from Guatemala roasted by Berlin-based Five Elephant. Light roast, perfect for filter coffee machines, drippers, Chemex, AeroPress, French Press, and other pour-over brewing methods. The flavour of the brew resembles starfruit, peach, clementine, and jasmine.

Country: Guatemala

Region: Palencia

Producer: Diego de la Cerda

Varietal: Geisha

Processing: Hot Washed

Altitude: 1850 m a.s.l.

El Socorro is a coffee farm with a rich history dating back to the 19th century, when Antonio López Colom began working the land. In 1960, Mario De La Cerda and his wife, Maria Colom, acquired the property, which includes El Socorro, San Guayabá, and Rio Arriba, bringing these lands back into the family. Under their son Juan De la Cerda Colom, who was passionate about planting coffee, the farm began its transformation into one of Guatemala’s premier coffee producers. In 1999, Juan's son, Diego de la Cerda, the third generation owner, took over management of the farm and implemented innovative changes in both production and processing, with coffee cultivation expanding significantly since then.

The farm’s location at an altitude of 1850 masl, paired with its microclimate, has allowed it to produce exceptional coffee, including a wide variety of prized cultivars such as Geisha, Pacamara, Bourbon, and Maracaturra. El Socorro’s dedication to preserving the environment is exemplified by its stewardship of a 400-hectare forest reserve, and their practice of growing coffee under native shade trees has further enhanced the biodiversity and quality of the coffee produced.

Diego’s forward-thinking approach to coffee production is reflected in his decision to introduce Geisha seeds from Panama about 10 years ago, sourced from Francisco Serracín, the first producer to win the Best of Panama competition with a Geisha. Under Diego’s care, the Geisha has flourished, benefiting from El Socorro’s high elevation and careful attention to selection and cultivation. By isolating the traditional classic Geisha cup profile, Diego has created a coffee that is both distinct and extraordinary.

For Five Elephant co-founder Kris Schackman, reconnecting with long-time partner Juan Diego de la Cerda after losing touch during the pandemic was a moment of excitement. Kris, who first experienced the clean, well-defined Panamanian Geisha profile in 2011, recognizes the exceptional quality Diego has achieved with this Geisha—a coffee that few others can match. The shared passion between Five Elephant and El Socorro for pushing the boundaries of quality makes this partnership particularly meaningful.

Over the last 20 years, El Socorro has also evolved its processing methods, including the use of hot water in fermentation to shorten the process while preserving the natural integrity of the coffee’s sugars and oils. With a focus on quality and sustainability, El Socorro has become one of Guatemala’s most awarded coffee farms, earning four 1st place finishes in the Guatemala Cup of Excellence (COE) and a record-breaking auction price.