El Salvador Los Bellotos Washed Microlot

Red Bourbon is one of coffee's most celebrated varieties, praised for its sweetness, balance and clarity in the cup. At Café Pacas - and for the Pacas family - it holds an even deeper significance, serving as the genetic foundation of the Pacas variety, a natural mutation first identified in El Salvador in 1949. Today, the Bourbon varietal remains a benchmark for quality, valued for its ability to express both terroir and craftsmanship.

At Finca Los Bellotos, this heritage variety thrives at elevations of 1,400-1,750 metres above sea level in the volcanic mountains of western El Salvador. Managed by Ruperto Bernardino Merche, with support from Café Pacas, the farm combines generational knowledge with a meticulous approach to quality.

Café Pacas and Bailies

Our relationship with Café Pacas has played an important role in bringing coffees like this to Bailies. For more than three years, we've partnered with their team to source exceptional Salvadoran coffees, and build relationships with a co-operative who share our commitment to quality, transparency and long-term sustainability. 

This lot from Los Bellotos is a reflection of that shared approach.

Processing

Quality begins with careful cherry selection, with underripe and defective fruit removed by hand before processing. The coffee then undergoes a traditional washed process, fermenting for 8-10 hours before being thoroughly washed and slowly dried on patios for a minimum of 12 days. Every lot remains fully traceable throughout the journey from harvest to export, ensuring the unique identity of the coffee is preserved at every stage.

The result is a beautifully clean and expressive cup that brings together the heritage of Bourbon, the expertise of the Merche family and the longstanding partnership between Café Pacas and Bailies.

• Region: Apanecea-Ilamatepec
• Variety: Bourbon
• Process: Washed
• Altitude: 1,400-1,750masl
• Tasting: Red Currant Jelly, Candied Walnuts, Black Tea
  
• Aroma: Peanut Brittle
• Body: Medium/Low
• Acidity: Medium