San Carlos Dos, El Salvador

Tasting Notes

Works well with all methods; however, we recommend brewing as filter coffee or in a cafetière for best results. The coffee presents a smooth sweetness and mellow acidity, with a honey-dew melon after taste on the palate. In the aroma, there are notes of chocolate and vanilla. 

San Carlos dos is a cooperative of small farmers who acquired their plots after the El Salvadorian government redistributed land in the 1980s after agrarian reforms. It is located on the Cacahuatique mountain.  

San Carlos Dos is part of the blue harvest program run by a catholic relief service that looks to address water tables and water shortages in central America. This program aims to tackle the lack of water and poor soil health by minimising agrochemicals, promoting organic fertilisers, and implanting better practices for land management.  

With the help of 338 infiltration wells and drainage for rainfall, the Cacahuatique mountain provides a water source for nearby Osicala. Over recent years water supply for the community and families has been improved. These changes have also increased the average yield on land, taking this region above average in El Salvador. The land is split into 25 separate lots originally. It just produced Pacas and bourbon; however, Pacamara has recently been introduced in higher lots on the farm. 

After harvesting, cherries are processed at the wet mill, where they are floated to remove dirt and any unripe cherries. They go through pulping and sorting machines before being transferred to fermentation tanks, where they are held for up to 24 hours to remove the mucilage. The coffee is then washed before being spread out and rotated regularly on patios. These are situated 1400 masl on the north, north-east side of the mountain facing prevailing winds, which is the optimal location for drying the beans. Once the beans reach their desired moister content of 11%, they are sent to a small mill at the bottom of the farm, packed, and prepared for shipment. 

FARM INFORMATION 

• Country: El Salvador 
• Process: Washed 
• Producer: San Carlos Dos 
• Region: Cacahuatique Mountain  
• Varietal: Pacas, Bourbon & Pacamara 
• Elevation: 1100 – 1665 masl