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El Cocal, Geisha

Roasted by Five Senses

This Geisha coffee features tropical fruit and lemon zest notes with a sparkling acidity and a short, crisp aftertaste.

El Cocal, Geisha — Five Senses
Image: courtesy of Five Senses
tropical fruitlemon zest

From the roaster

Tropical fruit & lemon zest, sparkling acidity with a short, crisp aftertaste.


This coffee is produced by the Alfaro family, fourth generation farmers based near the town of Ataco, in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range. The family is also dedicated in improving the quality of life of the nearby community, by creating jobs for the local residents. This parcel of Geisha coffee was planted three years ago and is just starting to reach its full potential. Expect complex tropical fruit flavours, lemon zest, sparkling acidity with a short, crisp aftertaste.

Please note: no discounts apply to this coffee.


More Info

It is estimated that up to 40% of harvests have been lost throughout central America due to the effect of Roya or coffee leaf rust. El Salvador, in particular has been hit hard by this disease and the last 4-5 years have been some of the toughest in recent history. More recently, coffee production and recovery has ramped up and while the storm is not over, the country has emerged once again as a specialty producer.
It's fourth generation coffee producers like the Alfaro family that are helping in the recovery.
Agricola San Agustin is the legal name of the company wholly owned by the Alfaro family. The current is the Alfaro's fourth generation that has been devoted in growing specialty coffee in El Salvador, near the town of Ataco, in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range. The family also operates the mill Beneficio El Carmen where all their coffees are processed, having therefore complete control of the quality from the plant to export.

The family is also dedicated in improving the quality of life of the nearby community, by creating jobs for the local residents and supporting local infrastructure like housing for their permanent workers. They are also helping nearby small producers by creating so called "quality nests", where they provide know-how and advice for them to improve their processes in order for them to increase their final quality, and be able to market their coffee as specialty grade instead of simple commodity coffee, hence receiving better prices.

This parcel of Geisha coffee was planted three years ago and it's starting to reach its full potential this year.
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— Five Senses

Context

Produced by the Alfaro family in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec region of El Salvador, this El Cocal lot showcases the distinct profile of the Geisha varietal. While the Five Senses roast highlights specific notes of tropical fruit and lemon zest, the Geisha variety is globally recognized for its potential for exceptional floral aromatics and tea-like clarity.

When evaluating such nuanced profiles, it is helpful to reference a flavor wheel to better identify the complex acidity and fruit-forward characteristics often found in high-quality Central American coffees. Because the Geisha plant is notoriously delicate and demanding to cultivate, it remains a rare and sought-after offering for producers like the Alfaros. This particular selection from El Salvador serves as a compelling example of how regional terroir and careful processing can influence the final cup, providing a bright, vibrant experience that reflects the unique conditions of the Apaneca-Ilamatepec highlands.

Buy — 71 AUD from Five Senses

In the Encyclopedia

Frequently asked questions

What does El Cocal, Geisha taste like?

Expect tasting notes of tropical fruit and lemon zest.

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Last verified: October 14, 2026 · Browse all beans.