La Fany, Washed Heirloom, El Salvador

Flavour profile: This Heirloom from La Fany has a white tea-like aroma. In the flavour, you find notes of milk chocolate, almond and hints of jasmine. The cup is balanced, and the mouthfeel is tea-like with a light to medium weight. The coffee has a finish of cacao nibs.

Colour: Light Pink Category: Curious Producer: Rafael and Carmen da Silva Hoff with family Farm: La Fany Varietal: Heirloom Process: Washed. Ripe cherries are selectively hand-picked and delivered to the family’s mill, Beneficio San Pedro. At intake, the cherries are sorted to ensure optimal quality. Selected cherries are then pulped and thoroughly washed to remove mucilage. Parchment is then evenly laid to dry on raised beds. During this stage, workers rake parchment frequently to ensure even drying. Location: Ahuachapán, Santa Ana Elevation: 1600 meters above sea level Roast: Light to medium to present the natural characteristics of the coffee.   Price transparency: The FOB price paid for this coffee was 6 US$/Ib.

We are so excited to present La Fany Washed Heirloom for the first time. A small amount of Heirloom is  harvested at the farm, alongside Bourbon, Caturra and Pacamara, among other varietals. 

Finca La Fany is a family inheritance for the Da Silva Family and dates back to the early 1900s. It was first established by Fabio Morán and then passed on through the generations from father to son. The beautiful farm is located on top of the Apaneca-Illamatepec Mountain Range, at 1,500 masl,  2 miles from the city of Apaneca. It received its name because of one of Rafael’s ancestors, called Fany.

In the early 1990s, Raphael and Carmen had the opportunity to buy this great family heirloom from one of his aunts, and of course, they bought it.    

Originally, the farm was 100% Bourbon, but they have been experimenting with new varieties on a small scale. Still today, Bourbon remains the number one variety.

They are very much committed to this farm as being the fifth generation in the family to have control over this land. Carmen told me that one of her proudest moments was in 2005 when La Fany Red Bourbon achieved the 4th place in the COE. 

It’s a farm that both me and Steve have spent a lot of time on and Steve has been buying this coffee since 2003 (yes he is that old) 

Since 2017, 13,000 new Pacamara trees were planted along with 40,000 new seedlings, composed of Red Bourbon, Orange Bourbon, Pacamara, Geisha, Yellow Icatu, and Yellow Caturra. 

We are now starting to see the fruits of these labours come through with exciting varietals and processing as the new generation (Rafael and Carmens sons) begin to get more involved in the farms. 

La Fany remains committed to supporting neighbouring communities by providing stable incomes and supplying fresh water to households. Beyond coffee production, Finca La Fany has placed strong emphasis on environmental stewardship by exploring ecological farming practices. One such initiative includes a vermiculture nursery that produces vermicompost, which is used to supplement other fertilisers and enhance soil health naturally.

The future is bright for La Fany! 

Innehåller kaffe, förvaras mörkt och svalt.

La Fany, produced by Rafael and Carmen da Silva Hoff and their family, represents the meticulous agricultural traditions of the Ahuachapán and Santa Ana regions of El Salvador. This lot features an Heirloom varietal grown at 1500-1600 masl. By utilizing a washed processing method, the producers emphasize the inherent clarity and structural integrity of the bean, allowing the specific terroir of the Salvadoran highlands to shine through.

Roasted by Drop Coffee, this selection presents a balanced profile characterized by milk chocolate, almond, jasmine, and cacao nibs. While washed coffees are often celebrated for their clean, bright acidity and refined finish, the specific interplay of these notes can be further explored by referencing the flavor wheel. This coffee serves as a testament to the Hoff family’s commitment to quality, offering a sophisticated cup that highlights the nuanced potential of heirloom varieties when handled with precision and care.