El Salvador Pacamara Coffee from Finca Ataisi Estate

If you’ve ever wondered why some single-origin coffees deliver such layered complexity—think bright acidity layered with deep sweetness and a silky mouthfeel—then you’re likely curious about the origin, variety, and processing behind the cup. One lesser-known but high-potential origin is El Salvador, particularly from unique farms like Finca Ataisi.

The Finca Ataisi Washed Pacamara is a standout single-origin coffee from El Salvador, grown at 1,800 metres above sea level, with a cup score of 89. It’s a rare and carefully processed offering that highlights the Pacamara variety’s full sensory range.

Where Is El Salvador Coffee Grown?

El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America, bordered by Guatemala and Honduras to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south. Its landscape is dominated by mountains, highlands, and volcanoes—including the 2,385-metre Santa Ana Volcano, the country’s highest peak. Most of the country’s best coffee comes from the western region near Guatemala and the volcanic slopes of the northwest, especially around Sonsonate and Chalatenango.

The country has a tropical climate with distinct wet (May–October) and dry seasons. Average temperatures range from 25–28°C, and mountainous areas receive over 1,800 mm of rain annually. Though once the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer, decades of civil war disrupted production—but also spared many farms from adopting modern, sun-grown monocultures. As a result, traditional shade-grown practices and older Bourbon and Typica varieties survived.

What Is Special About the Pacamara Coffee Variety?

Pacamara is a hybrid coffee variety developed in El Salvador in the 1950s, created by crossing Pacas (a natural Bourbon mutation) with Maragogype (the large-beaned ‘elephant’ coffee). It was first cultivated in 1958 and has since become prized for its exceptional cup quality.

This variety produces unusually large beans—at least 70–80% the size of a typical elephant bean—with over 90% scoring 18 mesh or higher, and 100% at 17 mesh or above. Typical dimensions include an average length of 1.03 cm (compared to 0.8–0.85 cm for most beans), width of 0.71 cm, and thickness of 0.37 cm. The beans are notably round and plump.

Pacamara is celebrated for its vibrant acidity—often described as tart and dynamic—alongside tasting notes of, fruit, and deep chocolate. The variety is known for a thick body, rich mouthfeel, and lingering aftertaste. It performs especially well at higher altitudes and is most renowned when grown in El Salvador and Guatemala.

Finca Ataisi Estate: Terroir & Processing

Finca Ataisi is located in the Izalco region of Sonsonate Province, one of El Salvador’s volcanic highland zones. The estate sits at an average altitude of 1,800 metres and features steep, fertile land rich in volcanic soil organic matter. It is among the highest-altitude farms in the area.

The farm is managed by Rene Martin, who prioritises traditional, low-impact cultivation methods. Over 90% of the estate’s crop is planted with the Pacamara variety, and nearly all farming is done under shade with minimal intervention beyond essential pruning and irrigation. The farm maintains a rich, diverse agroforestry environment.

Freshly harvested red cherries are processed on-site using a meticulously controlled washed (wet) method. Rene Martin closely monitors fermentation conditions, tracking daily temperature and humidity, and carefully observing the beans throughout fermentation and drying. After washing, the beans are dried in the sun, ensuring clean and stable processing that highlights Pacamara’s intrinsic qualities.

Cup Profile & Tasting Notes

The Finca Ataisi Washed Pacamara delivers a refined and complex cup. The dry fragrance includes notes of , , , and . Once brewed, the wet aroma opens with , , , and tones.

On the palate, the coffee feels silky and balanced, with a bright yet gentle fruit acidity reminiscent of wild berries and supported by -like nuttiness. The mid-palate reveals layers of complexity, leading to a sweet, caramel-like finish. The aftertaste is smooth and lingering, with a clean, resonant sweetness and a long-lasting finish that invites slow, mindful sipping—perfect for quiet evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Finca Ataisi Washed Pacamara?

The Finca Ataisi Washed Pacamara is a single-origin coffee from El Salvador, grown at 1,800 metres altitude on the Finca Ataisi Estate in the Izalco region. It is made exclusively from the Pacamara variety using a washed processing method, resulting in a cup with bright acidity, fruity and nutty notes, and a rich, creamy body.

Where is Finca Ataisi located?

Finca Ataisi is located in the Izalco area of Sonsonate Province in El Salvador. The estate lies within a volcanic highland zone and sits at an average elevation of around 1,800 metres, making it one of the highest farms in the region.

What makes Pacamara coffee different?

Pacamara is a hybrid coffee variety created by crossing Pacas and Maragogype. It is known for producing very large beans, vibrant and complex acidity, and a full-bodied, creamy mouthfeel. Flavour notes often include fruit, spices, chocolate, and nuts, with a particularly dynamic and layered cup profile.

How is the coffee processed at Finca Ataisi?

The coffee at Finca Ataisi is processed using a washed (wet) method. Ripe cherries are carefully harvested and fermented under strictly monitored conditions, with attention to temperature and humidity. After fermentation, the beans are washed and then sun-dried to ensure clean and stable processing.

What does the coffee taste like?

The cup profile includes spicy and fruity notes in the dry fragrance, with wet aromas of , , and . On the palate, expect bright berry-like acidity, nuttiness, and a smooth, sweet finish with lingering notes of caramel and strawberry. The aftertaste is clean and velvety.

What roast level is recommended for this coffee?

The article references this coffee as being best enjoyed as a medium roast. This roast level helps preserve the delicate acidity and complex fruit and chocolate notes characteristic of the Pacamara variety.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Pacamara Lovers

For fans of the Finca Ataisi Washed Pacamara, try FrontStreet Coffee’s El Salvador SHG EP Washed Pacamara—bright and juicy with notes of tropical fruit and cocoa. Also consider the Colombia Huila Geisha Washed for floral, tea-like complexity, and the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Kochere for high-toned citrus and berry brightness. All three showcase unique processing and origin traits while maintaining exceptional clarity. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.