El Salvador, Santa Ana, Chalchuapa
Canton Monte Verde

Single Estate Coffee

Notes: Cherry candy, Dark Chocolate, Jasmine, Rose, Honey

Roast: Light (City +)

Varietal: 100% Geisha

Elevation: 1700m

Process: Natural

Farmer: Rafael Gerardo Caceres

Farm name: Colombia

Farm Size: 120 Hectares

Region: Apaneca

City: Chalchuapa- Santa Ana

Another project from Delagua Coffee! Delaguaua is becoming a regular household name here at PIcacho. You’ve likely seen them alongside severalof our Colombian producers. Delagua is primarily responsible for processing green coffee from La Sierra Nevada, but today's release is their first iteration of a project happening outside of Colombia - in the Apaneca region of El Salvador.

The Cordillera Apaneca is a mountain range located in the western part of El Salvador, near the border of Honduras. The region is known for its high-quality coffee production and is home to a number of small coffee farmers. The coffee grown in this region is typically shade-grown, where coffee plants are grown under the canopy of taller trees, which provides habitat for a variety of wildlife and helps to protect the soil.

Finca Colombia is considered to be the Jewel of the Crown of the family farms owned and operated by the Barrios family. The finca is now operated by its fourth and fifth generations as it has been in existence since 1916. 

This exceptional Geisha lot comes from the fertile highlands of Chalchuapa, El Salvador, where rich volcanic soils and a temperate climate create ideal conditions for cultivating one of the world’s most celebrated coffee varieties. Known for its unmistakable aromatics and refined cup profile, Geisha continues to stand as a benchmark for specialty coffee excellence—yet each region brings its own expression. This lot showcases the elegance of Geisha while reflecting the distinct terroir of western El Salvador.

Process

This coffee underwent a 159-hour anaerobic fermentation, carried out in whole cherry. In sealed environments, the cherries develop complex flavors through controlled microbial activity, enhancing fruit-forward characteristics and adding depth to the cup.

After fermentation, the coffee was dried on patios for 428 hours, carefully monitored until the proper Brix meter readings were achieved. This slow, intentional drying process preserves delicate aromatics and ensures stability, clarity, and longevity in the final green coffee.

Varietal Background

Originally discovered in the Gesha region of Ethiopia in the 1930s, the Geisha varietal (often spelled “Gesha” in reference to its original location) gained global recognition when it was introduced to Panama decades later. Its extraordinary cup quality—marked by floral aromatics, tea-like elegance, and vibrant acidity—has since made it one of the most sought-after varietals in the world.

Despite its fame in Panama, Geisha expresses itself beautifully in diverse origins. In El Salvador, the varietal benefits from volcanic soil structures, high elevation, and meticulous processing traditions, resulting in a cup that maintains Geisha’s signature jasmine and bergamot characteristics while offering uniquely sweet, tropical, and nuanced layers.

Excellent as a pour over and excels as a single origin espresso shot