First brought from the Caribbean to El Salvador in the late 18th century as a garden crop, coffee quickly evolved into one of the nation's primary exports by the mid-19th century. However, as political turmoil and devastating outbreaks of coffee leaf rust disrupted the country's high-volume commodity model, Salvadoran producers were forced to pivot. By abandoning sheer output in favour of meticulous sorting and innovative post-harvest processing, El Salvador transformed its narrative to emerge as a world-renowned producer of great tasting coffee.

Today, specialty-grade Salvadoran coffee is cultivated in micro-lots across renowned estates like Finca Las Mercedes. Perched just outside San Salvador, this impressive 160-hectare farm sits at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,700 metres above sea level. Here, multigenerational coffee producers Fernando and Juan Aguilar blend decades of farming heritage with modern agronomy and processing techniques. The forward-thinking efforts of producers like the Aguilars are continually pushing the boundaries of Salvadoran coffee to yield disease-resistant lots that defy expectations with high quality in the cup.

This honey process coffee was medium-roasted by Origin and comes from a lot of the Marsellesa variety. This variety is a modern hybrid, born from the challenges of an unpredictable climate and the flavour demands of both roasters and consumers. Developed in 2009, Marsellesa is a cross between Villa Sarchi and Timor Hybrid varieties, which offers natural resistance to diseases such as leaf rust. It is highly favoured by farmers thanks to its high yields and vibrant sweetness.

Origin's notes

"By allowing a portion of the fruit's mucilage to remain on the bean during drying, the honey process develops a cup with a silky body, vibrant fruit character, and balanced sweetness, reflecting both the expertise of its producers and the unique terroir of the farm."

• Flavours: Nougat, cranberry, golden syrup, caramel, blackcurrant, apple
• Body: Round
• Acidity: Citrus-like
• Roast: Medium
• Brewing: AeroPress, Chemex, siphon, plunger, espresso & milk-based

Coffee details from Origin

"Finca Las Mercedes is an exceptional specialty coffee produced by Fernando and Juan Aguilar in El Salvador. Carefully honey processed, this coffee showcases the farm's commitment to quality while highlighting the natural sweetness and complexity of the coffee."

• Country: El Salvador
• Region: San Salvador Volcan
• Washing station: Finca Las Mercedes
• Producers: Fernando & Juan Aguilar
• Altitude: 1,200 - 1,700m ASL
• Variety: Marsellesa
• Processing: Honey