Key up the music, and make it grand: the 2009 version of Itzamna has earned a red carpet entrance. Lately I have been quite content to sit back and let coffees speak for themselves because they do it so darned eloquently and in a way that just cannot be touched by the written word. But special consideration must be given here, as I think a new standard has been set. This year's version of Itzamna is quite probably the best one we've ever assembled, and it may well turn out to be the star of our Central American offerings this season. Best of all, the measurable step forward in quality is in no way just a matter of advantageous growing conditions or good fortune. The farmers involved in the Itzamna project deserve massive props for the work they put in, both in advance of and during this year's campaign. It has showed up in a big way, and let this be my public thank you to Henio and Raul Perez (from La Soledad), Mauricio Rosales (from La Maravilla) and Victor Calderon (of El Tambor) for having created something so soul-meltingly delicious.

Guatemala has always been a star within the Specialty Coffee community. There is a long tradition of estate coffee farming and quite a bit of technical expertise that helps explain the coffee quality. Many farms have their own wet mills and drying patios and can maintain excellent control over the coffee as it is being processed. It is also a country unique in Central America for its huge indigenous population (over 50% of the people are of Mayan descent) and diverse micro-regions that produce mouthwatering coffees with distinctly different profiles.

We have always had a particular love for these coffees, and over the years Guatemala has remained one of our most treasured origins. Itzamna is our serenade to the country, a blend of our favorite Guatemalan coffees that combines taste characteristics specific to different parts of the country to create an enthralling concert of flavor. All three farms are spectacular (and will be offered individually for limited runs during the fall season).

Coffees from La Maravilla (HueHue) bring an energetic ripe fruit acidity to Itzamna. This farm was the first to meet the requirements of Direct Trade status, and we've had a close relationship for over six years now. This season Mauricio finished constructing new housing for the temporary workers, and we celebrated with a post-harvest party at the farm for all the pickers and their families.

A coffee from Finca El Tambor (Palencia) brings a seductive cocoa flavor that reminds us of the best coffees from Fraijanes. Victor is a visionary who digs experimentation, and he is working on some trials using different drying and fermentation strategies to further preserve cup quality.

La Soledad (Acatenango) contributes a rich milk chocolate and butterscotch sweetness, and this year the farm finished top 20 in the Cup of Excellence—hats off to them for this recognition of their achievement. It is one of my favorite farms because the forward progress and investment they are making to advance quality and become a standard setter for social and environmental responsibility on the farm needs no explanation; it stands out every time I visit. They've just completed the final stage on their very impressive water treatment system and have started work on a cupping lab that will be built on the farm itself. They are currently working on some diversification with an innovative plan to produce avocado oil from the groves of delicious avocado trees on the farm. These guys are the definition of pro-active.

Itzamna is the creator-deity whose name can be rendered “god of nectar” and was the harbinger of culture, cacao, and maize to the Mayans in ancient lore. We chose the name Itzamna for this offering because we like what he stands for. He is a beloved deity from Mayan mythology, credited with creating many of the things that make life worth living. He introduced farming and science. And he was always known to be kind and protective towards humans, no mean streak whatsoever. In other words, he is the man. We can only suppose that he has a profound love for coffee as well.