EL SALVADOR - Lenca

The department of Morazan, an area of ancient forests, has a long tradition of coffee cultivation. Indigenous languages that are spoken by very few in the community identify this land as "Lenca", which roughly translates to "The Land of Abundant Water". The bounty of fresh water, fertile land, and incredible altitudes lead to the formation of "cloud forests,"which protect plants from extreme weather. The El Rio Grande de San Miguel, one of the main water sources for the eastern part of El Salvador, feeds over 20 communities and allows producers to flourish even with harsh weather fluctuations and droughts. The community is working with our importing partners, Caravela, to maintain forest-shade tree growth and fend off encroaching deforestation by timber and sawmill businesses by growing coffees that command higher premiums. This enables sustainable innovations such as diversification of coffee cultivars for greater yields and the construction of raised African drying beds.

The 2023 lot of El Salvador Lenca is remarkably balanced and nuanced, with a syrupy body and delicate acidity. In lighter roasts we tasted notes of nectarine, semisweet chocolate and toffee, all lifted up by a sparkling acidity. Darker roasts of this coffee retain much of the fruit sweetness in the form of black currant and date, but also show more developed sweetness in the form of maple and dark brown sugar. The Lenca is a stellar, crowd-pleasing coffee that would appeal to all types. Excellent in all forms, but especially delicious as a single-origin espresso both with and without milk. 

Elevation: 1200-1500 MASL

Processing Method: Washed

Cultivar: Bourbon, Cataui, and Caturra

Tasting Notes: Semisweet Chocolate, Nectarine, Dark Brown Sugar

Impact: Conventional

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