El Salvador | Sapphire Blend | Red Bourbon | Washed

Region: Santa Ana

Elevation: 1450-1700 masl

About: The Pacas family has been growing coffee in the mountains of El Salvador for more than five generations, and we're proud to call them one of our longest-standing producer relationships, having purchased their coffees since 2012. Over the years we've weathered leaf rust outbreaks, drought, wildly fluctuating market prices, and a global pandemic together, and through it all the Pacas family has remained our first stop on every trip to El Salvador. Named for the deep, jewel-like quality of the cup, Sapphire Blend brings together washed Bourbon and Pacas coffees sourced from several of the family's farms scattered around the Santa Ana Volcano. Blending lots from multiple farms allows the Pacas family to streamline processing while still delivering a consistent, dependable cup year after year. The result is a coffee that's rich and comforting, built for everyday drinking, with layers of caramel and brown sugar sweetness rounded out by dark chocolate.

The Sapphire Blend from Proud Mary Coffee highlights the classic profile of the Santa Ana region in El Salvador. Produced by the Pacas family, this lot features the Bourbon varietal, a plant historically prized for its balanced sweetness and complex cup profile. By utilizing the washed process, the producers emphasize the inherent clarity of the bean, allowing the foundational notes of caramel, brown sugar, and dark chocolate to take center stage.

While washed coffees are often celebrated for their clean, crisp acidity, the specific terroir of El Salvador’s high-altitude farms—ranging here from 1450 to 1700 masl—frequently contributes to a refined, sugary finish. For those looking to better identify these specific characteristics, referencing a flavor wheel can be a helpful tool when evaluating the depth of these traditional chocolate and caramel tones. This blend serves as a quintessential example of how careful cultivation and processing can elevate a classic varietal.