El Salvador
Varietals: Pacamara & Bourbon
Processing: Washed & sun dried
Altitude: 1550m above sea level
The Farm:
Karla Quiroz de Moises is the fourth generation of her family to farm Finca Puerto Arturo, which is situated to the west of El Salvador. Whereas Puerto Arturo was previously known for its extremely tall Bourbon plants – which had to be harvested using tall ladders – in more recent times climate change has meant the farm has been hit by severe ‘coffee leaf rust’ which has caused these plants to become less productive. In order to tackle this, Karla has planted more resistant varieties, choosing Pacamara, which is highly sought after and grows well in the altitude.
The Beans: Strength 3.5/5
These beans are fantastically smooth, and warming, with notes of lime, orange and honey to compliment the chocolate undertones.
The medium roast emphasises this sweet fruity vibrancy, making this the perfect single origin espresso, or equally delicious with milk.
Environmental/Social Commitment:
Puerto Arturo has a reputation for only using the most environmentally sound agricultural practices, as outlined by the Sustainable Agriculture Network. A portion of native forest on the farm is left untouched to ensure biodiversity remains intact, and the water sources are well maintained and kept free of any contaminates. Most of all, however, is Karla’s commitment to protecting and improving the soil fertility, ensuring the farm’s environmental footprint is as low as possible, and that the land remains productive for future generations.
As well as caring for the environment, the Karla provides full time employment to 25 workers all year-round. Unlike many farms in the area, great efforts are made to ensure the working conditions are safe and comfortable, and employees have dedicated spaces for changing their clothing, eating, and taking breaks, with the typical workday only lasting seven hours.