El Salvador: Miravalles Bourbon

The 120 manzana Finca Miravalles is a family affair. It's owned by husband and wife Luis Duarte and Tete Chacón, and much of the management is handled by their son, Luis Jr, and Chico, the on-site manager of 15 years. The farm is located in Apaneca, Ahuachapan, not too far from the Santa Ana volcano. It used to be two separate farms, Miravalles belonging to Tete's family, Santa Maria to Luis's. They were both raised on these neighboring farms, family ownership going back some 150 years. Sometime after marrying, they put in an offer on Miravalles, which was all but abandoned at the time, and joined with Santa Maria under the Miravalles name. They have been renovating the farm ever since, keeping much of the original Bourbon and Pacas cultivars, and planting several other varieties, including H1 and F1 hybrids, Catimor, Pacamara, Caturra, and Gesha. They've done an amazing job segregating the cultivars in separate plots, and go to great lenghts to harvest and process separately too. This year they sold several of the varietal separations, with this coffee being an all Bourbon lot. Miravalles is perched on the verdant slopes of the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain region, and spans an altitude range of about 1250 to 1550 meters above sea level. This is another beautiful farmgate coffee that is great as espresso. 

Cupping Notes: Cocoa, toasted sugars,and creamy hazelnut notes

Brew Recommendations: Drip, French press, pour-over and espresso

Varietals: Bourbon

Region: Apaneca, Ahuachapan

Elevation: 1250-1550 meters above sea level

Processing Method: Wet process (washed) and patio sun-dried

Equity and Transparency Pricing Levels

Sustaining Level: $16 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Uplifting Level: $20 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Benefacting Level: $24 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Produced by Luis Duarte and Tete Chacón in the Apaneca region of Ahuachapan, this El Salvador: Miravalles Bourbon represents a classic expression of the Bourbon varietal. Cultivated between 1250 and 1550 masl, the cherries undergo a washed process, a technique often utilized to highlight the inherent clarity and structural acidity of the bean. Roasted by Keia & Martyn's Coffee, the profile leans into comforting, dessert-like qualities, featuring notes of cocoa, toasted sugars, and creamy hazelnut.

While washed coffees are frequently celebrated for their clean, balanced profiles, the specific terroir of the Apaneca region often contributes to the depth found in these cups. When evaluating such coffees, enthusiasts often consult a flavor wheel to better identify the nuances between the sweetness of toasted sugars and the savory undertones of hazelnut. This lot serves as a refined example of how traditional processing and careful cultivation can yield a consistent, approachable experience.