The Drum: The marimba, which is like a wooden xylophone, is the national instrument and its music is widely found in Guatemala. It has developed a large repertoire of very attractive pieces that have been popular for more than a century. The marimba is a percussion instrument consisting of a set of wooden bars struck with yarn or rubber mallets to produce musical tones. Resonators or pipes suspended underneath the bars amplify their sound. The bars of a chromatic marimba are arranged like the keys of a piano, with the groups of two and three accidentals raised vertically, overlapping the natural bars to aid the performer both visually and physically. This instrument is a type of idiophone, but with a more resonant and lower-pitched tessitura than the xylophone.
The Roast: Huehuetenango sits in the western highlands of Guatemala, bordering Mexico. It was one of the most ethnically diverse regions in Guatemala, and coffee growing has a rich, deep history and ties to the land. This variety is a proven, popular coffee you shouldn't miss! Maple, orange, milk chocolate and fruit notes; syrupy body, juicy acidity; sweet and complex.