El Salvador Natural - Finca San Joaquin Red Bourbon

Raspberry jelly, almond butter, honey, heavy body
TOP LOT
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Bag Weight 69 KG BAG
Harvest Season 2023/24
Status Spot
Lot Number P612305-1
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About This Coffee

This natural-processed single-variety Bourbon lot comes from Finca San Joaquin, situated on the Ayeco mount in the Buenos Aires canton, at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level. It is located in the northeastern part of the Lamatepec volcano, which is part of the Apaneca-Lamatepec mountain range, renowned as one of the most significant coffee regions in El Salvador. Affectionately referred to as "the farm of the morning sun" because of its strategic positioning, which allows the coffee trees to receive natural light until noon. This unique feature provides an exceptional and natural way to slowly ripen the coffee cherries.

The farm is planted with various coffee varietals, including Bourbon, Pacas, Pacamara, and Mokka, all grown under the shade of Inga trees. With a total area of 45.97 hectares, 30.97 hectares are dedicated to coffee cultivation, while the remaining land is preserved as a natural cypress forest. This forest serves as a habitat for endangered mammals, birds, and reptiles, contributing to the farm's biodiversity and environmental conservation efforts.

Country of Origin El Salvador
Region Chalchuapa, Santa Ana
Producer Type Single Estate
Farm Name Finca San Joaquin
Wet Mill Vivagua
Processing Natural/Dry Processed
Processing Description Sun-dried on patios
Growing Altitude 1700m
Harvest Season 2023/24
Bag Weight 69 KG BAG
Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
Plant Species Arabica
Variety Bourbon

History of El Salvador Coffee

Coffee was first introduced to El Salvador from the Caribbean as a garden crop in the mid-18th century but did not gain a commercial production foothold until 1850’s because indigo, easier to grow and more profitable, was king. Coffee was first exported—695 bags—in 1856 and the government began to encourage coffee farming. Exponential growth coincided with the development of synthetic indigo near the end of the century. At one time, El Salvador was one of the largest producers of commercial coffees. Today, with a focus on quality over quantity, 70% of coffee from El Salvador sells for a premium above commodity prices. 

Growing Coffee in El Salvador

In 1975 El Salvador was, remarkably for its size, one of the largest coffee producers in the world, exporting 3.8 million bags. Today, a good year is 600,000 bags. Today, 86% of producers are responsible for only 20% of the country’s production, having 7 hectares or less. This means, that 80% of coffee production is controlled by only 14% of producers. And yet, because peace in El Salvador and the opening of coffee farming to smallholders coincided with the emergence of the specialty coffee sector in consuming countries and the inevitable rise of new-thinking generations within old families, there is a pervasive focus on quality regardless of farm size. Most coffee from El Salvador was sold at a differential price above commodity prices. 

  • Region Chalchuapa, Santa Ana
  • Farm Name Finca San Joaquin
  • Producer Type Single Estate
  • Wet Mill Vivagua
  • Processing Natural/Dry Processed
  • Processing Description Sun-dried on patios
  • Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
  • Plant Species Arabica
  • Variety Bourbon
  • Min Growing Altitude 1700m
  • On Sale No
  • Top Lot Yes
  • Status Spot
  • Coffee Grade SLV CA NAT SHG FANCY
  • CTRM Contract Number P612305-1
  • Country of Origin El Salvador
  • Warehouse The Annex CA