Vournas Coffee has a long-storied history with importing coffee from El Salvador, starting back in 2008 when Mike Vournas bounced around multiple farms and we brought in our 1st container. We are super excited to bring this origin back into our lineup after not having it for well over a decade.
El Salvador is affectionately known as the “Bourbon Country” and with good reason, as much of its trees are from this arabica varietal. Three of our current offerings are 100% or partial bourbon, as much of its trees are from this arabica varietal. Three of our current offerings are 100% or partial bourbon.
Every time we find unique and beautiful coffees like these there is a lot of excitement and anticipation surrounding them and what they have to offer in the cup. Since initially sourcing, then having cupped and approved them, we look forward to announcing their availability to our roasters. Today, we have the pleasure of debuting a fantastic handful of new, El Salvador microlot coffees from the fifth generation, family run, Café Pacas. All are either Bourbon or Pacamara varieties, or a combination of both. Not only are these varieties renowned for their exceptional cup quality, Café Pacas also maintains a very high level of production standards across their entire operation. Equally important is the priority that Café Pacas places on sustainable farming, the preservation of resources, and the reduction of adverse environmental impact.
As a company, we recognize these values to be essential for the protection of future generations of coffee producers. These offerings are part of Café Pacas’ line of sustainable coffees that embody a commitment to safe working conditions, fair incomes, economic opportunities, good benefits and dignified livelihoods for all those involved in the supply chain.
Familia Pacas Sapphire Blend
The Familia Pacas Sapphire Blend is a blended lot of washed SHB, EP varieties. The majority is Bourbon (75%) with the remaining 25% being Pacamara. This is a meticulously crafted shade-grown coffee sourced from four distinct farms nestled in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec Mountains.
Familia Pacas Sapphire Blend Notes:Citrus aroma. Notes of blood orange and orange blossom.Medium body, medium acidity.
The combination of Bourbon and Pacamara forms a uniquely rich cup profile, enhanced by the work put into its hand-picked cherries selected at the peak of ripeness, and its meticulous wash process, milling and traditional patio drying. Bourbon is one of the most recognizable arabica varieties due to the fact that it can be highly productive at higher altitudes while being universally renowned for an exceptional cup quality. Pacamara is closely related to bourbon and also known for exceptional cup quality. The combination of both makes for a solid foundation of a very high quality and uniquely rich cup profile.
Finca El Retiro Honey Microlot
The Finca El Retiro Honey Microlot is a specialty microlot from the 46 acre farm of Eduardo Figueroa in Buenos Aires within El Salvador’s Santa Ana region. It is a 15 screen microlot of Bourbon and Pacamara varieties, grown in the tropical hills just north of El Salvador’s southern coast line. The lot is shade-grown and the cherries are hand-picked, honey processed and shipped in Grainpro.
Finca El Retiro Honey Microlot Notes:Tangerine and citrusy aroma. Sweet notes of brown sugar, vanilla and meyer lemon.Medium body, medium acidity.
The Finca El Retiro Honey Microlot combines both high quality Bourbon and Pacamara varieties, both highly productive at high altitudes, yielding an exceptional cup .and a great choice for those interested in sourcing a honey process single estate coffee for their lineup.
Finca La Guachoca Honey Microlot
Finca La Guachoca’s Honey Microlot is sourced from the 69 acre farm of Vidal Marroquin in Lomas de San Marcelino within El Salvador’s Santa Ana region. It is a 100% Pacamara, 15 screen grown on the tropical slopes between the Santa Ana Volcano and Lake Coatepeque.
Finca La Guachoca Honey Microlot Notes:Tangerine and citrusy aroma.Notes of milk chocolate with a medium body and medium acidity.
Pacamara is primarily grown in El Salvador where it has become a staple and frequent winner in cupping competitions. This lot is of honey processed Pacamara variety is shade-grown, the cherries hand-picked, and shipped in Grainpro bags.
Finca La Guachoca Natural Microlot
Finca La Guachoca’s Natural Microlot also hails from Vidal Marroquin 69 acre farm in the Santa Ana region. It is a 100% Bourbon, 15 screen, shade-grown lot sourced from the tropical slopes and volcanic soils near Lake Coatepeque. Just like La Guachoca’s Honey Microlot, these cherries are also hand-picked and shipped in Grainpro bags.
Finca La Guachoca Natural Microlot Notes:Sweet berry aroma. Notes of raspberry with a hint of sweet cherry.Silky, medium bodied with medium acidity.
Being a natural process, 100% bourbon variety, this particular El Salvador Microlot produces that often famed “berry” profile that is beloved by those natural process single variety romantics out there. I’m not sure if it’s possible to pick a favorite from these four offerings, but if you’re looking for a top-notch, natural process, specialty-grade Central, this one will not disappoint!
Happy Roasting,
Kat Vournas
C.O.O. & C.F.O.
What We Have To Offer
To view a full listing of our current coffees please visit our coffee offerings page. For additional info on coffee growing, processing and roasting, please visit our farm-to-cup page.
Visit Us In Thousand Oaks
There’s always an open invitation waiting for you to join us at our cupping table in Thousand Oaks.
Feel free to email us anytime or call to speak with our friendly staff M-F, 8AM – 4:30PM PST about our new 2024 Cafe Pacas El Salvador Microlot Coffees, what else we have coming in, and how we can help improve your roasting business. 800.761.JAVA
