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Introduction to San Carlos Bravos Estate, El Salvador | El Salvador Coffee Guide

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). Bravos Estate is a Rainforest Alliance Certified estate. The family has been in the coffee growing business for over a century. The estate owner plants the excellent Bourbon variety coffee at high altitudes of 1550m. Due to the high elevation,

Professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Cafe_Style (WeChat public account cafe_style)

San Carlos Estate: A Legacy of Excellence

San Carlos Estate is a Rainforest Alliance Certified farm, where the family has been cultivating coffee for over a century. The estate owner plants premium Bourbon variety coffee at high altitudes of 1550 meters. Due to the higher elevation, coffee cherries mature more slowly, resulting in sweeter fruit. With optimal harvesting timing and appropriate processing methods, the coffee quality continues to improve year after year.

What's even more admirable is that the owner of San Carlos Estate educates his coffee farmers about the value of their work, enhancing their self-identity while increasing each worker's income. While it's unclear whether this income increase meets or exceeds fair trade standards, this intention is crucial. The local humanistic care creates a positive cycle where farmers can focus on coffee cultivation with stable and secure livelihoods, benefiting both parties.

Location and Management

San Carlos Estate is located in Canton Potrero Grande Arriba, an area home to many famous coffee estates in El Salvador. This farm is very close to the summit of the Santa Ana volcano. San Carlos Estate boasts stunning landscapes, microclimate patterns, stable rainfall, and professional management by the farm owner.

The farm is owned by Mr. San Carlos, a renowned doctor. Today, it is managed by his son Jaime Riera, who serves as both a mechanic and coffee estate manager. Mr. San Carlos truly enjoys experimenting with new things on the farm. He is currently trying different pruning methods to improve their coffee quality and hopes to revitalize the coffee industry through these efforts. In 2011, the farm was honored as a Cup of Excellence winning estate.

Cultivation Methods

Regarding other cultivation methods, Finca San Carlos not only continuously prunes branches and plants shade trees but also cultivates new seedlings. All cultivation methods follow traditional practices. They plant 3,200 coffee trees per hectare along with shade trees. Additionally, due to the high altitude, Finca San Carlos's coffee cherries can mature slowly, making the fruit sweeter.

Mr. Carlos believes that the estate's recognition for premium Bourbon variety quality is mainly due to its altitude and geographical location suitable for coffee cultivation. He is very proactive, believing that with optimal harvesting and processing methods, quality can gradually improve each year.

He believes the key lies in encouraging the estate's farmers and teaching them to recognize the importance of their roles, while increasing the income of each participant. He pays employees wages that are 40% above the legal minimum. For example, Mr. Carlos proudly states that the farm manager is an influential and energetic manager. Due to his mobility and supervision, the entire management system is nearly flawless.

Environmental and Social Responsibility

San Carlos Estate is a Rainforest Alliance Certified farm, operated by a family with over a century of farming experience. Their love for nature and people drives them to share coffee cultivation proceeds with the local natural environment, and they donate to local schools and medical equipment.

When consumers purchase these certified products, the Rainforest Alliance has already traced the entire production process from cultivation to distribution for environmental inspection. The Rainforest Alliance helps us ensure that our descendants will have a healthy and beautiful future.