Gloria Rodriguez is a fourth generation coffee grower that has consistently won awards in Cup of Excellence competitions since 2007 for her commitment to growing and producing quality coffee. Her El Salvador Finca Nueva Granada is one of five small coffee farms Gloria owns and personally supervises. It is located in the volcanic mountain range of Apaneca-Ilamatepec in western El Salvador. The farm was originally purchased in 1987 by Gloria’s father, Jose Maria Rodriguez from Antonio Alfaro, a well known coffee grower and mill owner. The land had previously been neglected for a couple of years, but Jose Maria recognized it held great potential. It took just 2 years for her to transform it into a lush, productive coffee farm that now yields this exquisite El Salvador Finca Nueva Granada microlot.
Medium acidity with notes of orange, round creamy body, sweet chocolate, with hints of berries, with a caramel, floral finish. Perfectly well balanced.
Since taking over, Nueva Granada has become a very important part of the Rodriguez family. Gloria took over ownership of the farm from her father in 1995, at which time she envisioned differentiating each of her farms. The Cup of Excellence has played a major role in her life to help accomplish this dream.
The El Salvador Finca Nueva Granada sits atop 13.8 acres and is completely dedicated to growing heirloom Bourbon varietal. It also has a small percentage of Typica trees that were first planted in the area in the early 1900s. In order to take advantage of the farm’s coffee tree density, the pruning method used at Nueva Granada is selective pruning and stem and root bending (agobios) which is also a highly regarded method of tissue management.
Nueva Granada’s shade canopy has approximately 85 ingas trees per 2.5 acres, making it a perfect environment for birds and small animals. It is quite common to see woodpeckers, hummingbirds, ground-doves and grey-lined hawks on the farm. Pocket gophers, which are commonly known for their extensive tunneling activities, help to keep the land loose and oxygenated. Every year, Gloria’s farms employ nearly 65 people during harvest, and year round she manages a team of 12 to 15 people. Gloria is focused on and committed to maintaining a well trained and skilled team to whom she can provide better wages and working conditions.
Rainfall at Nueva Granada averages 86 inches per year, and has an average temperature of 68°. The coffee is washed with natural fermentation and sun dried on clay patios.
Santa Ana
Ataco
Cordillera Apaneca
Gloria Rodriguez
4,000 - 5,200 ft (1350 - 1400 m)
Jan – Feb