El Salvador Finca Malacara Red

Tasting Notes: Red apple, honey, almond

Region: Santa Ana, El Salvador, Central America

Growing Elevation: 1,500 MASL

Producer: Dumont Family

Variety: Red Bourbon

Process: Washed, Patio Dried

This cup begins with a dry fragrance that leans nutty and sweet, with caramel sitting right behind it. Once water is poured, the aroma is sweet roasted nuts, the kind of smell that makes you want to stand over the cup a little longer. The first sip offers notes of red apple and almond, finished by a caramel sweetness. As it cools, the cup opens into dried apricot and honey with a surprising turn of warming spices on the back end. The acidity is medium-low and rounded with a touch of grapefruit, and the body is medium and slick. This is classic Salvadoran Red Bourbon doing what it does best - sweet, nutty, and comfortable, with just enough spice to keep you paying attention. Grab a bag online or stop by the shop to give it a try!

One of our first and longest lasting Direct Trade efforts, Finca Malacara sits at 1500 meters and consists of Red, Yellow and Orange Bourbon coffee varieties. There are roughly 125,000 coffee trees and 10,000 native shade trees on the 50-hectare farm. The Inga trees have large leaves that provide shade as the coffee grows, allowing for a slow maturation of the coffee cherries.

The farm is also diversified with crops such as avocados, prunes, raspberries and peaches that are sold at local markets. Both soil and plant are analyzed then given only what nutrients they are lacking through eco-friendly fertilizers.

Five families live on the farm, which gives guaranteed employment of 20 year-round positions and around 100 more during the harvest. The coffee pickers are paid 50% above minimum wage. A school, health clinic and soccer field are also available for use by the workers and their children.