From the Mayan mountains of Huehuetenango, Los Ancestros is the latest espresso at Maker

Huehuetenango is one of Guatemala’s most important specialty coffee regions, located in the far western highlands near the Mexican border. Its coffees are grown at very high elevations—often 1,500–2,000 metres—on steep mountain slopes in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes. This altitude, combined with a relatively dry, windy microclimate, produces dense, slow-ripening coffee cherries that are known for bright acidity, floral aromatics, and fruit-forward complexity, often with chocolate and citrus undertones. 

Coffee production in Huehuetenango is dominated by smallholder farmers, many from Indigenous Maya communities, who often process their coffee themselves due to the region’s remoteness and limited infrastructure. This has helped shape a distinctive “micro-lot” culture where quality and experimentation vary widely from farm to farm.

Los Ancestros grows in the mountains surrounding the Mayan site of Zaculeu in Huehuetenango, once the capital of the Mam Kingdom. Known as the “place of the elders,” the region reflects a rich Indigenous heritage. Since 2016, Caravela has worked with more than 80 small- and medium-scale farmers here, producing coffees with notes of red fruits, lime, honey, chocolate, and vanilla, shaped by diverse microclimates, altitudes, and the dedication of its producers.

Grown on landholdings of 0.5 to 5 hectares, this coffee is hand picked when fully ripe off the coffee trees and pulped the same day. The coffee is then fermented without water for 18-36 hours and washed after fermentation. This unique washed process gives this coffee a fruit-forward flavour profile, with notes of strawberry and ripe apricot standing out, and a sweet marzipan finish gives it the perfect balance.

The name Matambo originates from a famous Colombian myth: the love story between Mirthayú, the beautiful queen of the Michués (which was a native pre-Hispanic tribe) and her lover the giant Matambo who was the most valiant warrior in the region. The legend says Matambo was so strong and ferocious that he alone could fight an entire army to defend his people.

The Gigante region fondly remembers the stories from the golden age of heroes and battles between tribes and it is evident that the spirit lives on amongst the community here in a more agricultural sense today. 

The growers in this region share the same strength and dedication as Matambo once did, showing their utmost care for the land and collective protection of the coffee growing community.

This lot comes to us at Maker in Australia from second and third generation farmers in Colombia whose passion and hard work are evident in the cup quality, as is their inspiration coming from their namesake in the Matambo legend.

The Matambo growers have also experienced an interest from the children of the coffee producers who are at school and learning more about how coffee is grown and managed. This is a rarity these days as coffee production in many parts of Colombia and South America is not seen as a particularly profitable pursuit in the future, with the changing climate and many years of hard labour required to manage the land.

The coffee growing culture in Gigante gives us hope that there’s a bright future still to be found in agriculture from Colombia and we’re delighted to present you with the latest seasonal iteration of our favourite espresso The Maven. 

This new lot was picked and processed in June-July this year and shipped in August, so you can be sure this new Maven is as fresh as it gets. 

We are finding the classic Maven profile stays true to form with the new Matambo caturra, columbia and castillo varieties. Silky smooth milk chocolate on the palate, with beautifully balanced aromas of citrus fruits and red apple. 

You can BUY the latest seasonal Maven on our website and in all the Maker Cafes across Melbourne. 

We’re betting big on Peru this year, having sourced some stunning coffees from the Andean highlands of Cajamarca. Cajamarca, nestled in the north of Peru, is a region renowned for its breathtaking mountainous landscapes and thriving coffee production. The majestic peaks of the Andes Mountains adorn the horizon, creating a stunning backdrop for this vibrant department. But it's not just the mountains that capture the imagination; Cajamarca is also celebrated for its rich coffee heritage. In recent years, it has emerged as the largest coffee-producing region in Peru, with picturesque coffee farms dotting its highland terrain. The combination of its awe-inspiring natural beauty and the aroma of freshly grown coffee make Cajamarca a true gem of South America.

La Danta is a blend of coffees produced in the highlands of San Ignacio and Jaen in Cajamarca.The blend is named after the Andean Tapir, also known as the mountain Danta. In Quechua,"sacha huagra" means "mountain Danta." The Andean tapir, an endangered herbivore, is commonly found roaming the Andes, especially in northern Cajamarca.

The farmers who contribute to La Danta have learned about coffee through generations, with some of the farms being established by their grandparents in 1980, dedicated from the beginning to co?ee production. Over the generations, they have been motivated to seek quality coffee, observing how the market has evolved, as many of them initially started selling conventional coffee. In recent years, they have improved their processing techniques and facilities and have adopted new coffee varieties, leading to enhanced quality and better prices.

The newer generations have begun attending works-hops, searching for information online, and seeking advice from seasoned and experienced neighbors to refine their processes. They consistently value the resources generated within their own farms and manage them appropriately. The producers receive personalized visits from the PECA Educators and attend workshops to produce organic fertilizers using organic waste from the farm. This approach has helped producers become more conscious of their environmental impact.

This washed processed lot from the producers of La Danta is of the Bourbon variety, commonly found in Peru. With complex notes of nectarine and sweet lime and a coating sweetness of marzipan, this community lot is an easy winner for your daily cup. 

We are so pleased to present to you, the latest iteration of the Seasonal Filter Natural, a natural process heirloom variety from Guji, Ethiopia. This delicious coffee is brought to you by the fantastic producers and team of the Hambela Wamena washing station.

The Hambela Wamena Washing Station was founded in 2018 by the founder of Tega & Tula farms. Its location at the top of the highest mountain peak of Guji Hambela makes it a central point to serve surrounding towns and it currently serves around 3,900 producers. There are a number of social programs supported by this washing station including the building of roads, schools, and technical equipment and support for producers as well as medical health expenses and support for women's health care.

We sourced this coffee with the help of our import partners at Cafe Imports, cupping through multiple rounds of samples to find the right coffee for our Seasonal Filter natural. Our goal at Maker Coffee is to source and buy excellent coffees, and promote the hard work done at origin by the coffee producers. It is our privilege to bring to you the latest filter release of 2026 at Maker Coffee, sourced with care from the producers of the villages near Hamebla Wamena Washing Station. 

At MAKER we strive to craft the highest quality coffee and are committed to highlight and support the people that bring it to life.

Our partnership with Caravela has been extremely fruitful so far, and this new honey processed Pink Bourbon from Tolima, Colombia is a testament to that.

This coffee comes from La Campiña, owned and run by Jhoan Ricardo Dussan and his wife Carmen. 

La Campiña stands out for its respect for the environment and its clean, careful processing. The farm's microclimate, nestled in the high mountains of Tolima, produces coffees that are both complex and balanced - a true taste of the land.  Jhoan Dussan, the heart behind this project, has dedicated over a decade to coffee cultivation, carrying forward a legacy that spans three generations.

What began as a journey into traditional coffee has evolved into a passion for crafting specialty coffees with distinct sensory profiles. Guided by curiosity and precision, Jhoan has mastered fermentation techniques - both heterofermentative and lactic - to bring out vibrant fruit notes and bright acidity in his varieties. Each batch dries slowly under the Planadas sun for up to 20 days in marquesinas, while the coffee trees grow under the shade of native cedars, laurels, and guamos.

For Jhoan, coffee is more than a livelihood; it's a reflection of love and purpose. Alongside his wife, Carmen, and their two sons, he sees his farm as a company rooted in innovation, sustainability, and family unity.

Sourced in early 2026, this AAA-grade honey-processed lot stood out for its vibrant citric acidity and juicy sweetness. Exceptionally clean and expressive, it reveals notes of blood orange, black plum, and panela. This Pink Bourbon showcases both the precision of the honey process and Jhoan Dussan’s expertise as a producer of outstanding coffees. This coffee is available to all our customers on our website as well as all of our coffee bars. 

At Maker we’re always looking out to add exceptional coffees to our Select Series line-up, and late last year we found two such coffees during the same cupping session.

First of these coffees is a Yellow Gesha produced by Milagros Ramirez at La Ñusta, her farm located in Chirinos, San Ignacio, Cajamarca – Peru. Yellow Gesha is a rare, highly prized variant of the renowned Geisha coffee variety where cherries ripen to a yellow rather than red color. 

The Maker roasting team tasted this sensational Yellow Gesha at a cupping curated by InterAmerican Coffee in Melbourne in late 2025, and we were so impressed by it that we booked it on the spot! It's bright citric acidity and jasmine-like floral notes make this one of the tastiest coffees in our inventory this year. 

La Ñusta is situated at an elevation of 1,650 MASL, where fertile Andean soils and a unique microclimate create ideal conditions for producing complex, balanced cup profiles. 

Milagros Ramírez is a third-generation coffee grower who blends her family’s traditional knowledge with modern, sustainable practices. Her approach is rooted in respect for the land, responsible resource use, and continuous quality improvement.

Initiatives include the installation of a swing sieve for improved bean selection, training in controlled fermentation and drying, and investments in solar dryers. These efforts not only raise cup quality but also enhance efficiency, sustainability, and the well-being of those behind La Ñusta’s coffee.

The cleanliness and complexity of this coffee speak volumes about Milagros Ramirez’s skill as a coffee producer. Subtle floral notes of jasmine coupled with juicy orange candy acidity with cane sugar sweetness make this coffee very easy to drink. We are sure this yellow gesha will be enjoyed and appreciated by all those who get a chance to brew it. As part of our Select Series range, this coffee will be available in limited quantities online and in all Maker venues, act fast to get your hands on this one!