Shigualos Coffee
Located in the Antigua Coffee Growing Region
Shigualos Coffee was founded in 2021 by a multi-generational group of coffee producers in the town of Ciudad Vieja. Inhabitants of their town are nicknamed “Shigualos,” a term that dates back to the 16th century when La Antigua and the expansive Almolonga Valley was conquered by the Spaniards. The Spanish conquistadors in Antigua and the surrounding communities were referred to by the original, indigenous inhabitants of the region as Shigulaos.
Since the 1500s, the mestizo population residing in Ciudad Vieja has reassigned the term to refer to themselves and their now Catholic-prevalent identity. Therefore, as a tribute to their roots as well as an appreciation for cultural diversity, the cooperative members chose to incorporate this distinct identity as Guatemalans from Ciudad Vieja and include English to officially name themselves Shigualos Coffee.
Our partnership began when this group formed in 2021 with the mission to produce quality coffee that competes within a demanding international market. In 2022, Shigualos Coffee began exporting its product under their own name for the first time. Their operations also include a tourism program aimed to provide impactful experiences for visitors that authentically represent the daily life of a producer and teach the entire coffee process, from bean to brew. Beyond coffee, the cooperative seeks to use tourism to celebrate a variety of Guatemalan culture and traditions and provide an alternative source of income for its ten members.
