El Salvador – La Providencia Guarumal Anaerobic Natural

Origin: El Salvador
Region: Apaneca-Ilamatepec Mountain
Estate: Finca La Providencia
Estate Size: 70 hectares
Altitude: 1100-1300 masl
Varietal: Caturra
Processing: Anaerobic Natural
Harvest: Oct-Mar
Owner: Fernando Alfaro and Jose Enrique Gutierrez
Tasting Notes: Winey, Dark Chocolate & Morello Cherry

Don’t be fooled by El Salvador’s small size. It was once the 4th largest coffee producer worldwide and continues to produce high quality lots. The country is known for its great cupping varieties, such as Bourbon and Pacamara. In fact, two beloved, frequently high-scoring varieties—Pacas and Pacamara— originated in El Salvador.

Unlike other countries, where specialty coffee production has required a great deal of additional investment and training, El Salvador already has a broad and skilled specialty coffee workforce. Farming traditions run deep, and many Salvadorian farmers are extremely passionate about coffee production and continuously strive to improve their crop. El Salvador has optimal conditions for coffee processing. The prolonged dry season typically occurs during the harvest season, making it easier to sun dry coffee.

Though coffee output in the country has been declining for over two decades – exacerbated by the CLR crisis – the approach to coffee production has changed from volume- to quality-driven. A new generation of coffee producers has sprouted around the country with a new vision and approach to production. Many of this generation are experimenting with processing and varietals.

This Yellow Caturra Anaerobic Natural from Finca La Providencia is the natural product of knowledge amassed over time. This knowledge – and the drive to innovate – has been passed down to owners Fernando Alfaro and Jose Enrique Gutierrez, who both come from long lines of coffee producers.

Fernando Alfaro and Jose Enrique Gutierrez both come from long lines of coffee producers. Together, they run Finca La Providencia under the name of INVERFINCA, SA de C.V. Finca La Providencia, focused on specialty production, sits a 1,100 to 1,300 meters above sea level in Cantón La Pandeadura in the Ahuacapán department, in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range.

This lot comes from a plot called Guarumal. Guarumal is named after the Guarumo tree that abounds in this plot.

Cultivation

In this plot, the Guarumo tree attracts bees and facilitates pollination. It also provides shade for coffee trees.

Fernando and Jose use biopesticides, a natural pesticide alternative, to control pests and diseases.

Harvest & Post-Harvest

Cherry is handpicked at peak ripeness and delivered to the on-farm wet mill. At intake, workers visually hand sort cherry to remove any damaged, underripe or overripe cherry. Cherry is placed in airtight bags and sealed to ferment for 68 to 72 hours. Bags are kept under shade to control fermentation.

Following fermentation, cherry is transported to the El Carmen mill in Ataco to sundry on raised beds. Workers at the mill turn cherry frequently to ensure even drying. It takes approximately 30 to 32 days for cherry to dry.

Small Batch Roasting: Roast For You Service – Terms & Conditions

Introduction

Small Batch Roasting now offers a service that offers personalised coffee roasting for customers who want to enjoy freshly roasted coffee tailored to their preferences. This article will discuss the Roast For You Service, its terms and conditions, and provide essential information for customers to make informed decisions when ordering.

Roast For You Service

When you choose to have your coffee roasted for you, we will roast the exact amount ordered and roast this for you to the selected roast profile you have chosen. Our small batch roasting process ensures that your coffee is roasted with care and precision, resulting in a high-quality, freshly roasted product.

Minimum Green Weight Requirement

Please be advised that the minimum green weight for roasting any one single origin is 6kg. Any orders placed with less than 6kg of each origin will be placed on hold and may cause delays in being dispatched. We will contact you to discuss how you wish to proceed in this case.

Weight Loss During Roasting

Please be mindful of the weight loss through moisture loss during roasting, which is typically between 12-20% depending on the level of roast. The darker the roast, the higher the moisture loss. This weight loss should be taken into account when ordering your coffee to ensure you receive the desired amount of roasted coffee.

Order Processing Time

Orders for roasted coffees will naturally take a little longer to process. Please allow a minimum of 3 days for your order to arrive from the point of order. If we are able to drop your order in the roasting schedule sooner, we will always endeavor to do so.

Mixed Orders

Mixed orders which include green and roasted coffees will be dispatched together when the roasted coffees are ready. We are unable to split these orders, so please consider the slightly longer delivery times when ordering mixed coffees.

Packaging

Your coffee will be bulk packed into a 6kg bulk bag with an identifying label on only. This packaging ensures that your coffee remains fresh and protected during transit.

Roast Profile and Liability

We will roast to your desired roast profile, but are unable to take any liability for any taste discrepancies that may arise from this. We are unable to take back any coffees once they have been roasted to your desired roast profile.

Yield Estimate

Typically, a medium roast coffee at 6kg green will yield 5.1kg of freshly roasted coffee. This estimate should be taken into account when ordering your coffee to ensure you receive the desired amount of roasted coffee.