El Salvador Malacara SL-28 XF

Origin Story

This coffee embodies Intelligentsia’s collaborative approach to innovation in the name of quality. Over a decade ago, Malacara’s fourth-generation owner Guillermo “Epe” Álvarez decided to diversify the varieties on his family’s farm to expand the range of flavors it produced. We helped him access SL-28 seed from Kenya and waited patiently for years until it started to bear fruit. We have had the honor of offering it every year since it came into production, and 2023 marks a milestone — 10 years since the first lot of Malacara SL-28. To mark the occasion, we collaborated with Epe in the same spirit of quality-focused innovation that led to the planting of the SL-28 in the first place: we agreed to double the fermentation time from 24 to 48 hours, producing a distinctive cup profile.

Sensory

This extended fermentation version of the SL-28 from El Salvador combines the complexity of Juniper with sweet stone fruit notes - a coffee that is perfect for savoring each sip.

Produced by Guillermo “Epe” Álvarez in El Salvador, this lot features the SL-28 varietal, a cultivar historically celebrated for its distinct profile. When evaluating such unique selections, it is helpful to reference the flavor wheel to better identify the nuanced characteristics present in the cup. Intelligentsia Coffee, the roaster behind this release, highlights notes of juniper and sweet stone fruit, offering a profile that balances botanical complexity with orchard-like sweetness.

While SL-28 is often associated with bright acidity and complex structures, the specific terroir of El Salvador provides a unique backdrop for this particular harvest. By sourcing from dedicated producers like Álvarez, Intelligentsia Coffee continues to showcase the diversity of Central American coffee production. This offering serves as an excellent example of how specific varietal selection can influence the final sensory experience, inviting drinkers to explore the interplay between traditional cultivation and distinct regional characteristics.