Dulce Barrera
Guatemala
Bella Vista Coffee
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I am a mom, a wife, and head of quality control at Bella Vista Coffee in Guatemala. I have worked in the coffee business for over 17 years, and have been cupping for almost 7 years now.
How did you get started in coffee?:
I was hired at Bella Vista Coffee as a secretary in 2002. Eventually there was an opportunity to learn how to cup, and in 2010 the business started a small cupping lab. We had an external partner that did the cupping whom I started learning from. That lead to cupping with clients, who were a huge part of my learning process. That led me to compete in the nationals in Guatemala in 2016 and realized I needed more training. So I got my Q grading license and competed again in 2017 in which I won, which opened the doors to compete worldwide.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
Cup Tasters Guatemala 2016 – 7th place
Cup Tasters Guatemala 2017 – 1st place
Cup Tasters Guatemala 2018 – 1st place
Cup Tasters Guatemala 2019 – 1st Place
World Cup Tasters Championship 2017 Budapest – 21st place
World Cup Tasters Championship 2018 Brazil – 19th place
What are you excited to do in Berlin?:
I am excited about German beers and sausage, I have heard they are really tasty here. I’m also looking forward to learning about the specialty market in Berlin, and obviously doing some tourism.
What is your favourite coffee to cup?:
Antigua coffee has my heart, but some Ethiopian coffee every now and then never seems like a bad idea.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
I love traveling, photography, gardening, and beer.
Where do you see yourself in five years?:
I see myself running a cupping lab for quality control in Guatemala, and also teaching other colleagues how to improve their skills for cup tasting.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WCTC?:
I thank God for giving the opportunity to enjoy this stage in life. I would also like to thank my boss Luis Pedro Zelaya with all my heart, for opening the doors for me at Bella Vista and supporting me in my learning process. Also the team at Bella Vista who always support me on these adventures, and of course to my family who always has my back.
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