Introduction to Finca El Carmen, El Salvador - El Salvador Coffee Overview

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Salvadoran Coffee: A Hidden Gem in Central America

El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. While most regions primarily grow coffee beans, don't overlook its significance despite its small size. In El Salvador, 60% of the coffee is of the Bourbon variety, including Orange Bourbon, Pink Bourbon, and Red Bourbon. Bourbon varieties are known to the world for their exceptional cleanliness, bright and sweet flavor profiles, and strong citrus aromas.

Notably, El Salvador is the birthplace of Pacas and Pacamara coffee tree varieties. Typical Pacamara offers excellent body with tropical fruit notes and honey-like sweetness, along with citrus brightness and a golden grapefruit acidity that transitions to a sweet aftertaste. It has become one of Central America's finest varieties in recent years, and many countries have recently begun producing excellent Pacamara beans.

Farm Characteristics and Harvest Seasons

Compared to coffee farms in other Central and South American countries, most Salvadoran farms are medium-sized. Farmers possess tremendous passion and professional expertise, producing high-quality coffee that has fueled the development of the coffee export market while maintaining and enhancing coffee bean quality.

Coffee is harvested only once a year, between November and February of the following year. New harvest coffee typically reaches overseas coffee buyers between June and August. As Salvadorans say, "One sip of coffee will make you smile."

Finca El Carmen: A Heritage Coffee Estate

Finca El Carmen is located at 1,300 meters above sea level in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range of El Salvador. Like the previous La Concordia estate, it sits along the Central American ecological corridor that stretches from Mexico to Panama. This region not only shelters hundreds of species of migratory birds and flora and fauna but is also an important specialty coffee-producing area in Central America.

Finca El Carmen emphasizes meticulous detail management and strict quality control. Approximately 60% of the coffee is grown under shade, which is reduced to about 40% before the rainy season. Shade trees must be pruned to allow light penetration, promoting new leaf growth—an essential detail for uniform coffee maturation. The estate cultivates multiple varieties including Pacamara, Red Bourbon, and Orange Bourbon. After harvesting, the coffee is processed with pure mountain spring water and dried on solid earthen patios. Coffee is stored in wooden granaries lined with parchment paper to maintain freshness, reaching consistent moisture content and color after about 60 days.

Finca El Carmen was established in the mid-19th century and has over a century of history. The current estate owner is third-generation Antonio Alfaro, making it a symbol of glorious history and pride in El Salvador.

Brewing Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee suggests the following brewing parameters:

Pour-over: V60 dripper, Fuji R440 grinder setting 3.5, water temperature around 90°C

French Press: Recommended grinder setting 4, water temperature 90°C

Siphon: Recommended grinder setting 4, water temperature 90-91°C

AeroPress: Recommended grinder setting 3.5, water temperature 90°C

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473