El Salvador - Finca La Siberia, Chalchuapa

Approximately the size of Connecticut and Delaware, El Salvador is bordered northwest by Guatemala and northeast by Honduras with the entire south bordering the Pacific Ocean. Although 148th in world population, El Salvador’s diminutive size contributes to the countries rank of 109th most populated and 26th most densely populated in the world.  Geopolitics and location have proven a difficult hand to play for El Salvador leading to chronic political and economic instability characterized by coups, revolts, gang violence and a succession of authoritarian rulers.  The 1979-1992 Civil War included the death squad assassination of Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero, now canonized a saint, who as “voice of the voiceless” denounced injustices and massacres committed against civilians by government forces. Tension with its neighbors, especially Honduras, has resulted in violent forceful removal of illegal El Salvadoran immigrants.

Located in the “Ring of Fire”, where most of the Earth’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur, El Salvador claims 22 active volcanos with San Miguel and Santa Ana being among the world’s largest, tallest and most active. Although the country has been challenged, currently, things do seem to be on the mend. Due to austere security measures, the countries gang violence and crime have seen a dramatic decrease resulting in plummeting migratory flight, a return of ex-pats, reinvigorated tourism and an influx of foreign investment.  Additionally, El Salvador is blessed with the natural beauty of six terrestrial ecosystems to include 500 bird species, 1,000 butterfly species, 400 orchid species, 800 tree species, and 800 marine fish species.  Including the natural beauty, surfing and beaches, along with a vibrant nightlife, along the 191-mile Pacific Coastline and it seems the country has a base for optimism.

In the grip of such uncertainty, we are fortunate to procure what is among the world’s most deliciously balanced coffee… the coffee where a single cup easily segways to a second cup followed by a third cup.  Such easy drinking brews that you can’t drink just one.  The Pan-American Highway, a 19,000-mile motorable roadway from northern Alaska to the tip of Chile, runs the east/west length of El Salvador and around mile marker 4,603, in the Apaneca-Illamatepec Mountain Range coffee region, is the city of Chalchuapa, translated “Jade River”. Since 1870, in the rugged surrounding mountain summits, the Silva family of Finca La Siberia have been involved with coffee. Finca La Siberia, translated Siberian Farm, was aptly named due to the chaotic weather conditions and difficult accessibility.  Current 4th generation curators Rafael and Carmen Elena Silva acknowledge cultivating challenges but directly engage with ecological awareness and colonial practices to steward the soil. Diligence rewards us with a harmony of aromatics, acidity, brightness, flavor and body. 

The Finca La Siberia cup beckons us with dark fruit, brown spice and green apple aromas.  Each sip reminiscences of dried fruit, caramel, chocolate and cinnamon. Many thanks to the Silva’s for enduring the rigors of El Salvador’s stark “Siberia” to bring the most enticing of coffee deliciousness.

Process Natural… the natural cherry flesh is allowed to remain on the bean and dried on raised beds, exposed to sunlight with constant turning, for around 12 - 20 days.

Elevation: 4757- 5495 feet