El Salvador washed Arabica SHG EP Las Mercedes Reserve Microlot

Coffee production in El Salvador has shaped its history for more than 100 years and has been a significant contributor to the Salvadoran economy since the mid 19th century. Until the civil war in the 1980s, El Salvador was one of the most organized coffee-producing countries of Central America, with a renowned international reputation for quality and efficiency. After the end of the war, the country has been striving to recover its production. Due to its rich volcanic soils and mild climate, El Salvador produces excellent coffees and is home to some of the world‘s most sought-after varieties. One of them is Pacamara, a crossing of Pacas and Maragogype varietals that was developed by the Salvadoran Institute for Coffee Research (ISIC) in 1958 to have the best characteristics of both parenting varieties. Only in the late 1980s, after 30 years of rigorous research, the variety was released to coffee producers to be grown commercially.

Finca Las Mercedes, in the region of Cordillera del Bálsamo, grows a mix of 45% Pacas and 55% Bourbon varieties on its 85 hectares of land. The farm is run by Alvaro Mencía, a 2nd generation coffee farmer. Inspired by his father's farming methodology, he takes maximum care of the nutrition of the coffee with as few non-organic fertilizers as possible.

For this microlot coffee from Las Mercedes, only the ripest coffee cherries are selected manually, and afterward, they are de-pulped, washed, and dried. The result in the cup is sweet with delicate citric hints. Plus, with the purchase of this coffee, you support more than 20 families who make a living from working on the plantation.