About This Coffee
Finca Montecristo is owned and operated by O&T Servicios Profesionales S.A. de C. V. The 130-hectare farm sits at 1,400 meters above sea level. This Natural lot has notes of stone fruit, dark chocolate and apple.
Cultivation
Coffee trees are shade grown. The soil is nutrient-rich, volcanic soil. In addition to coffee, avocados and lemons are also grown at Finca Montecristo.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
Ripe, red cherry is selectively handpicked and processed on the farm. Whole cherry is laid in thin layers on raised beds to sundry. Workers rake cherry frequently to ensure even drying.
Coffee in El Salvador
Don’t be fooled by El Salvador’s small size. It was once the 4th largest coffee producer worldwide and continues to produce high quality lots. The country is known for its great cupping varieties, such as Bourbon and Pacamara. In fact, two beloved, frequently high-scoring varieties—Pacas and Pacamara— originated in El Salvador.
Unlike other countries, where specialty coffee production has required a great deal of additional investment and training, El Salvador already has a broad and skilled specialty coffee workforce. Farming traditions run deep, and many Salvadorian farmers are extremely passionate about coffee production and continuously strive to improve their crop. El Salvador has optimal conditions for coffee processing. The prolonged dry season typically occurs during the harvest season, making it easier to sun dry coffee.
Though coffee output in the country has been declining for over two decades – exacerbated by the CLR crisis – the approach to coffee production has changed from volume- to quality-driven. A new generation of coffee producers has sprouted around the country with a new vision and approach to production. Many of this generation are experimenting with processing and varietals.