El Salvador | La Siberia | Java | Natural

Region: Chalchuapa, Santa Ana 

Elevation: 1450-1675 masl

About: Finca La Siberia has been in the Silva family since 1870. Named for its chaotic climate and the challenging trails that lead to it, Siberia is a beautiful but often harsh and unforgiving place. With knowledge and experience passed down over six generations, the Silva family has turned Siberia into one of the most renowned estates in El Salvador, growing varieties ranging from Bourbon and Pacamara to SL-34 and Geisha. Java is a rarer addition to that lineup, an heirloom variety that traces its roots to Indonesia, where it was cultivated long before making its way into Central America. It's a variety prized more for its distinctive, exotic cup than for yield, and the Silva family has given it space on some of Siberia's most carefully tended tablons. Processed as a natural, with whole cherries dried slowly on raised beds, this lot is loud and expressive, bursting with blackcurrant, watermelon, and orange candy.

Produced by the Silva family in the Chalchuapa region of Santa Ana, this El Salvador lot from Proud Mary Coffee showcases the unique potential of the Java varietal. Grown at elevations between 1450 and 1675 masl, the coffee undergoes a natural process, a technique where the fruit remains intact during drying to influence the final cup profile. Generally, processing methods like this can impart significant sweetness and complexity to the bean, often resulting in the vibrant, fruit-forward characteristics noted here, such as blackcurrant, watermelon, and orange candy.

While the Java varietal is often recognized for its distinct cup quality, the specific expression of these notes can be better understood by referencing a flavor wheel to identify the nuances of these fruit-toned profiles. This offering highlights the meticulous work of the Silva family in managing the natural drying process to achieve a clean, expressive result that reflects the terroir of the Santa Ana region.