El Salvador El Manzano

Producer Emilio López Díaz
Municipality Chalchuapa
Department Santa Ana
Region Apaneca Ilamatepec

Sun Exposure Mixed, Northeast Facing
Farm Size 28ha
Altitude 1600 masl
Latitude 13.904929
Longitude -89.667524

Variety Caturra
Process Natural
Fermentation Dry
Drying 12-20 days on beds

Harvest Year 2024

Flavor Caramel, Prune, Brown Spices, Grape, Vanilla
Descriptors Creamy mouthfeel, balanced, sweet

About this coffee This is now our third harvest year buying from Emilio López Díaz and his famed El Manzano farm located high in the northwest region of El Salvador.

El Manzano is a historic farm dating back to 1872, having been managed and worked by the López Díaz family for over 150 years. Situated at the confluence of three small valleys on the steep slopes coming off Cerro El Águila, El Manzano benefits from a near ideal environment – storm clouds build up on the western side of the mountains before crossing over to the eastern side and dropping ample moisture on the coffee growing on the farm. Because of the complex topography of these small valleys that all meet near the bottom of the farm, moisture continues to funnel down through the soil all year round, providing a natural irrigation system for the coffee plants.

Caturra has long been grown and produced at El Manzano, and was one of the few varieties Emilio produced before and after the outbreak of the leaf rust epidemic in the early 2010’s. Upon harvesting, the cherries are brought to the base of the farm where both the wet and dry mill are located. Once at the wet mill, the cherries are placed in a tank to remove any floaters before being put through a color sorting machine to ensure only ripe cherries are processed. After the cherries are placed on large patios, where they are raked and turned throughout the day to avoid heat spots and to encourage more even drying.