October 2021 - I Like How El Salvador Rolls off the Tongue

October 2021’s Coffee Origin - El Salvador

LOCATION, ERUPTIONS, LOCATION!
The coffee you are about to enjoy is from Finca Rumania, an El Salvadorian farm located municipality of El Congo in the district of Santa Ana. Coffee was first planted on this family-owned farm in the late 1930’s and the craft as well as the farm are in the hands of the second generation of family farmers.

The farm is located near the still active Ilmatepec Volcano. As recently as 2006 an eruption fertilized the soil with ash, enriching the earth and the crop. While many local farms have switched Varietals for cost savings and Rust (a fungus caused coffee plant disease) resistance, Finca Rumania has continued to grow Bourbon, delivering a high-quality cupping profile that you can appreciate.

Finca Rumania has been managed organically for the past 10 years and is certified by the Rainforest Alliance and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. The canopy of trees that contribute to the shade grown coffee trees include balsam fir, cedar, mahogany, and walnut. The combination of shade trees, altitude and the location in the Apaneca Ilametepec Mountain Range create an ideal micro-climate for growing coffee.

This area of Western El Salvador is known for its specialty coffee production and this month’s offering from Finca Rumania will help you understand why.

EL SALVADOR - FINCA RUMANIA  
Region: El Congo, Santa Ana
Varietal: Bourbon
Growing Elevation: 3900+ feet
Process: Natural
Certification: Rainforest Alliance, Strictly High Grown
Flavour Profile and Notes: GO CUP YOURSELF and find out!

Roaster’s Notes:
Firstly, I need to make a quick correction. The bag we shipped you lists this month's coffee as SHB (Strictly Hard Bean), it should have read SHG (Strictly High Grown). These gradings are used interchangeably, both referring to the altitude that the coffee was grown at and how it effects the plants growth (i.e. cooler temperatures cause slower growth and more time to mature).  El Salvador uses the SHG grading. The SHB grading was still on my mind from last month's Panamanian Origin. Sorry for any confusion!

This month's coffee is noticeably different from last month's. For starters the bean size is smaller, next it is a Natural process lending itself to more fruit and berries in it profile.  This month's roast is on the lighter side so you can appreciate the subtle flavours that come through. We roasted this El Salvador with a slightly slower start (lower initial charge) to encourage and even roast.  While it is delicious as a stand alone origin, it may not be what many of you expect in an every day coffee. This is an example of a coffee we may use to add a boost of flavour to a blend that needs a top end note. To see what we mean, try adding some of these beans to your everyday coffee. You should notice a new dimension of flavours added to the base you are used to. 

Cupping-wise, think Honey, Apples and …wait a minute, if you want cupping notes Go Cup Yourself!

Once you have finished Cupping, click on the “EXPERT TASTED” tab for our tasting notes. Can’t wait to compare notes.

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