El Salvador Finca La Mercedes Marsellesa Honey

Dried cranberry, chocolate wafer, apple
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Bag Weight 69 KG BAG
Harvest Season 2023/24
Status Spot
Lot Number P8002556-2
  • 8 Bag(s)
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About This Coffee

For six generations, the Aguilar family has produced coffee on the shade-rich land on the north-eastern slope of the San Salvador Volcano, with a direct view over the capital city of San Salvador. The estates cover nearly 160 hectares at altitudes ranging from 1,250 to 1,700 meters, the top of the farm being unusually high for El Salvador and lending to great coffee growing potential.

Marsellesa is a cross between Villa Sarchi CIFC 971/10 and Timor Hybrid 832/2. It is part of the 'Sarchimor' group which is known for its resistance to leaf rust (roya), due to the Timor Hybrid component, a naturally occuring cross between arabica and robusta species which appeared spontanouesly on the island of Timor in the 1920s. Due to the high risk of leaf rust in central American origins, Sarchimor and Catimor (crossed with Caturra) varieties are highly favoured by farmers for their disease resistance, high yield and good quality cup.

Origin El Salvador
Subregion San Salvador Volcan
Harvest Season 2023/24
Producer Type Single Estate
Farm Name Finca Las Mercedes
Processing Honey Processed
Growing Altitude 1350m - 1700m
Plant Species Arabica
Variety Marsellesa
Coffee Grade SLV CA WA MIC
Screen Size 15 Up
Bag Weight 69 KG BAG
Bag Types Grain Pro / Ecotact

The Art of Production

The Las Mercedes honey method is a holistic process which accounts for everything from harvest through to dry mill delivery. Before harvest, cherry brix readings are taken and are only harvested above a level of 24, sometimes reaching as high as 28-29. The cherries at this level are a deep red-purple colour. The cherries are de-pulped retaining a high amount of mucilage and then dried on raised beds for 22 days, including both sun and shade, a new method which Fernando is calling ‘Sol-Sambra’ drying.

History of Coffee in El Salvador

Coffee was first introduced to El Salvador from the Caribbean as a garden crop in the mid-18th century but did not gain a commercial production foothold until 1850’s because indigo, easier to grow and more profitable, was king. Coffee was first exported—695 bags—in 1856 and the government began to encourage coffee farming. Exponential growth coincided with the development of synthetic indigo near the end of the century. At one time, El Salvador was one of the largest producers of commercial coffees. Today, with a focus on quality over quantity, 70% of coffee from El Salvador sells for a premium above commodity prices.

  • Subregion San Salvador Volcan
  • Farm Name Finca Las Mercedes
  • Producer Type Single Estate
  • Processing Honey Processed
  • Bag Types Grain Pro / Ecotact
  • Plant Species Arabica
  • Variety Marsellesa
  • Min Growing Altitude 1350m
  • Max Growing Altitude 1700m
  • Screen Size 15 Up
  • On Sale No
  • Top Lot No
  • Price Per Kg £9.25
  • Status Spot
  • Coffee Grade SLV CA WA MIC
  • CTRM Contract Number P8002556-2
  • Origin El Salvador
  • Warehouse Vollers Group Uk