From the CODECH Competition to Your Cup: A 1st Place Coffee from Guatemala

This year, Evans Brothers Coffee owner Randy Evans and honorary brother Daniel Gunter traveled to Guatemala to experience the 2026 CODECH coffee competition firsthand, thanks to an invitation from our partners at Atlas Coffee Importers.

CODECH is a cooperative in Huehuetenango that brings together coffee producers from across the region. Each year, producers submit their best coffees for a rigorous competition, giving farmers the opportunity to showcase their quality, earn recognition, and receive premium prices for exceptional lots.

Being there in person gave Randy and Daniel a firsthand look at the care, skill, and pride behind these coffees. Over several days, they joined experienced coffee professionals in evaluating submissions for aroma, acidity, sweetness, balance, body, and complexity.

Andrés Recinos Pérez’s coffee received the highest score in the competition, taking first place. Grown at 1,800 meters in Huehuetenango, this washed coffee is bursting with flavors of graham cracker, raspberry, honeysuckle, pink lemonade, and juicy red apple.

We chose a lighter roast profile to highlight the coffee’s bright fruit, floral character, and lively acidity while allowing its origin and variety to shine through.

We’re especially excited to share Andrés’ coffee because we witnessed its journey firsthand, from the competition to the people and hard work behind it.

This is a very limited lot, and once it’s gone, we won’t have more until the next harvest.

Pictured above: Randy Evans, Daniel Gunter, and producer Andrés Recinos Pérez.

Purchase a bag here!