Bracia Ziółkowscy - El Salvador El Pedregal Washed Filter 250 g

Whole-bean specialty coffee from El Salvador, roasted by Bracia Ziółkowscy roasting brand. Light roast, perfect for filter coffee machines, drippers, Chemex, AeroPress, French Press, and other pour-over brewing methods. The flavour of the brew resembles chocolate, cherries, black tea and caramel.

Origin: El Salvador

Region: Santa Ana, Apaneca Ilamatepec

Farm: El Pedregal, Salaverria family

Variety: Bourbon

Processing: Washed

Altitude: 1500 m a. s. l.

Cupping score: 87 / 100 

ABOUT THE FARM

El Pedregal is a farm owned by the Salaverria family, whose coffees are considered among the best in El Salvador. The plantation grows traditional Bourbon varieties. The Salaverrias apply an innovative approach both to processing and farm management. Coffee cherries are sorted by harvest day and then processed using different fermentation and drying methods, tailored to the potential of each lot. This approach allows them to bring out the best sensory qualities of every batch and offer coffees with truly distinctive profiles.

José Antonio Salaverria and his sons, Andrés and José Antonio Junior, represent the sixth and seventh generations of coffee producers from Huachapán. In recent decades, the family has focused on top-quality coffees, implementing programs that select plots based on altitude, quality potential, and growing conditions. Their main production areas are Santa Rita, San Francisco, and El Molino, located around the Santa Ana volcano.

Traditional varieties dominate on the Salaverria farms, such as Bourbon Elite and Híbrido San Francisco, a hybrid of Bourbon and Pacas. The family is known for its innovative approach to coffee cultivation and processing. They experiment with various fermentation methods to optimize quality and create lots with standout sensory profiles. Each farm is divided into smaller plots called tablones, allowing for precise crop management and the creation of meticulously described microlots. In response to challenges such as coffee leaf rust, the Salaverrias have focused on soil regeneration and strengthening plant resilience. They produce their own organic fertilizer called Huisil, made from organic waste, mainly coffee pulp as well as fish and animal by-products. Currently, they use a blend of 50% Huisil supplemented with mineral components such as nitrogen, potassium, boron, and zinc. They also apply various pruning methods adapted to tree height and variety to maintain productivity and plant health.

The Salaverrias place great importance on staff management and providing fair working conditions. Farm managers receive bonuses based on harvest quality, and many workers are employed on a permanent basis, fostering a committed and experienced team. Between 50 and 60 people live and work directly on the farms, and coffee pickers are offered competitive wages along with optimized work systems that allow them to finish earlier in the day, giving them more time with their families.

The family also invests in local social infrastructure. Near one of the farms in San Francisco, housing has been built for seasonal workers and access to medical care has been ensured. Doctors regularly visit the plantations, and the family supports local clinics, including two they built themselves in Ataco. In addition, they donated land for the construction of two public clinics and supported the development of a local school and a football field. The Salaverrias’ commitment goes far beyond coffee production, positively impacting the development of the entire community.

ROASTER’S OPINION

Our discovery from last year returns. A clean and complex bean in a dessert-like style. Notes of chocolate, fruit, and more. This coffee has multiple layers, and each one is a pleasure to explore.