Introducing El Tambor: A Taste of Guatemala’s Heritage
Photo: Danielle Wagner, Lost Coffee team in Columbia with our producers.
We’re proud to announce the arrival of El Tambor, a new single origin from our friends at Onyx Coffee. Earlier this year, our team visited Onyx's farms in Guatemala. We saw the care and commitment behind every cherry.
A Farm with Deep Roots
El Tambor, which means “The Drum,” is in the green hills of Fraijanes, Palencia. It got its name from a strange sound that echoed in the area during rainy seasons long ago. People believed this sound came from a hidden underground waterfall. This farm’s rich history dates back to 1930, evolving from cattle ranching to coffee cultivation in the 1960s. Today, it is in the dedicated hands of Victor Calderon and his family. Their hard work and passion have won them many Cup of Excellence awards.
Photo Danielle Wagner, Victor Calderon
The Coffee: Craft at Every Step
The coffee grown at El Tambor is a beautiful expression of its terroir, grown at 1,700–1,750 meters above sea level. The farm grows Bourbon, Caturra, and Catuai coffee varieties. This lot is fully washed. This careful process begins with hand-picking the ripest cherries. It includes 31 hours of fermentation. After that, the cherries are sun-dried for up to 20 days. The result? A cup full of clarity, balance, and a hint of sweetness. This shows the farm’s cold nights and rich, loamy-clay soils.
A Vision of Sustainability
Victor’s approach to farming is rooted in biodynamic and organic practices—what he modestly calls “common sense.” El Tambor has more than just coffee. It is home to avocado trees and honey production. The area also has lively natural forests. These forests are a safe place for butterflies and wildlife. The Calderon family cares about their workers. They provide land for food crops and help with home building. They also run projects like fish farming and support for livestock.
From Seed to Cup
What struck us most during our visit was the incredible precision and care behind every step of the process. El Tambor shows what intentional coffee farming is all about. They select 50,000 seeds each year. They nurture only the strongest plants. They also hand-sort every batch of cherries.
We’re excited to share this beautiful Guatemalan coffee with you. El Tambor will be available at all Lost Coffee locations this Friday 05.09 and online for a limited time. Stop by for a cup, or bring a bag home to savor a piece of this remarkable story.