EL SALVADOR HIMALAYA

Origin: El Salvador
Region: Ahuachapan, Illamantapec


Farm: Himalaya
Washing Station: Beneficio Los Cerritos
Altitude: 1500-2400masl
Variety: Bourbon
Process: Natural


Importer: First Crop Coffee

We roasted out first coffee from the Himalaya station in 2014. Considering the hard times the producers of Himalaya have been through over the years, we believe this coffee is a great example of the benefits of long-term relationships between producers,  importers and roasters.

The owner of Himalaya, Sonia insists on growing only 100% Bourbon varietals, which are susceptible to leaf rust. In 2015, Sonia's farms were hit hard by leaf rust, which wiped out a lot of the trees and destroyed both the 2016 and 2017 harvests.

Sonia has over 30 full time workers working on the 5 farms, and so with no income for two years there was a lot of anticipation for the 2018 harvest. Although a small yield, this began the recovery for the Himalaya estate. First Crop was able to purchase the entire Himalaya harvest and paid a $2 per kg premium to assist in relieving the financial pressures of the reduced yield from the harvest.

The viability of the 2020 harvest was a little dicey considering the COVID pandemic, however after some shipping delays, we can finally roast what we think is their best coffee yet.

STARTING POINT:

20.5g Dry coffee (Dose)

48g Espresso (Yield)

26-28 (Time)

94c (Temperature)