Guatemala El Socorro Pacamara

About Guatemala El Socorro Pacamara

Of note is the farm's unusual and highly effective processing technique for all of their coffee. The farm is at a high altitude, and can get very hot during the day. By contrast, the natural springs on the farm used in the wetmill provide very cold water. Juan and Juan Diego came to feel that plunging the hot, freshly harvested cherries into the cold spring water was causing two problems: shock and extended fermentation time, both of which they felt to be injurious to the final cup. Instead, they experimented with washing the harvested coffee in warm water, settling on a temperature nearly the same as the cherries' internal temperature (about 100°F). This eased the cherries into a gradual cooling period and reduced the fermentation cycle to a 24-48 hour time span. The result is a striking, intensely fruity and floral profile.

This thoughtful approach to coffee preparation has not gone unnoticed. El Socorro y Anexos has won an award in the Cup of Excellence Competition 8 times in the past 12 years, and placed first in 2007, 2011 and 2020. While this specific offering has not won an award, we think this coffee still shows the care and attention common to the award winners.

Pacamara is a hybrid of two coffee varietals: Pacas, which is a Bourbon mutation, and Maragogipe, which is a Typica mutation. It was developed in the late 50's by the Salvadoran Coffee Research Institute (ISIC). The mixture at its best produces very deep, brothy flavors that always seem reminiscent of dark fruit like plums, raisins and prunes. This coffee is fully washed, meaning the outer skin and pulp are totally removed during milling before being dried.

• Department: Guatemala
• Municipality: Palencia
• Altitude: 5050-6100 Feet above sea level (1540-1860 masl)
• Coffee Variety: Pacamara
• Processing: Washed
• Harvest: January-April

Cup Characteristics:  Vanilla and peanut aromas.  Extremely sweet cup, some lychee.  Not typical Pacamara dark fruit flavors but rather big fleshy fruit like pear and peach. The flavors deepened as the coffee cooled. Juicy and vibrant.

Roasting Notes: This very delicate, complex coffee will shine at City+. Roasting to Full City or beyond will mask some of the intense fruitiness of this coffee so we recommend keeping it on the lighter, though fully developed side. Depending on your roaster, take beyond 1st Crack but avoid the approach of 2nd Crack.