Nestled in the Ahuachapán region of western El Salvador, between the towns of Apaneca and Ataco, Carlos Méndez’s farm thrives in a richly fertile landscape with an ideal climate for cultivating high-quality coffee.
The coffee trees grow under the shade of native trees, ensuring a slow and even cherry development. With a carefully managed water supply that relies on collected rainwater, sustainability is at the heart of this farm’s operations.
About the Cuscatleco variety
Cuscatleco is a dwarf coffee tree, specifically bred from T5296 (Sarchimor) to resist leaf rust while maintaining high cup quality. It produces large cherries and big beans, leading to a complex and rewarding cup profile. In the highlands of El Salvador, the extended maturation period allows for more nuanced flavors, enhancing the coffee’s natural complexity.
During harvest and processing, the Méndez family collaborates with a team of 20 skilled workers, ensuring that only the ripest cherries are hand-selected and carefully processed for the best possible quality.