EL SALVADOR - SHG - WASHED

THE STORY

Though small in size, El Salvador punches well above its weight when it comes to coffee. Once the world’s 4th largest coffee producer, the country boasts rich volcanic soils, high altitudes, and a deeply embedded coffee culture that spans generations.

Coffee arrived in El Salvador in the late 19th century, gradually replacing indigo as the nation’s economic backbone. Early production was controlled by a land-owning elite, many of whom were deeply entangled in politics and used their power to consolidate vast estates. Despite this rocky beginning, the infrastructure they built laid the groundwork for what would become one of Central America’s most sophisticated coffee-producing nations.

By the 1920s, coffee made up 90% of the country’s exports. Even after the brutal civil war (1979–1992) and decades of economic struggle, El Salvador's resilience and commitment to coffee quality has never wavered.

A LEGACY OF QUALITY AND INNOVATION

Today, over 95% of El Salvador’s coffee farmers work on plots smaller than 20 hectares, and the country has shifted focus from quantity to craftsmanship and cup quality. Its reputation for classic, clean, sweet cups—often featuring heirloom varieties like Bourbon and the beloved Pacamara—has made it a quiet favorite among specialty buyers.

This SHG Fully Washed lot represents the best of traditional El Salvador coffee: high-altitude cultivation, careful processing, and clean varietal character. The Fully Washed method—sometimes followed by a gentle soak to enhance clarity—is supported by the country’s long dry season, making for slow, even patio drying on clay or raised beds.

WHY IT MATTERS

El Salvador is a country defined by heritage, adaptation, and passion. Despite its challenges—from political upheaval to disease pressure—the country’s producers continue to push forward. Today’s coffees are not just delicious—they represent a new wave of Salvadoran coffee identity: one rooted in history, but reaching confidently toward the future.

This SHG lot is a testament to that evolution—refined, transparent, and unmistakably El Salvador.