This Pacamara Natural from Carlos Pola showcases the bold and expressive side of El Salvador’s most iconic hybrid variety. Produced at Finca Las Brisas and Finca San Antonio, this lot highlights the intensity and complexity that Pacamara can achieve when paired with meticulous natural processing and high-altitude conditions.
Finca Las Brisas & Finca San Antonio
Carlos Pola is a pioneer of modern specialty coffee in El Salvador. After purchasing Finca Las Brisas in 1997 and transitioning to coffee full time in 2012, he applied principles from his former career in the textile industry — quality control, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making — to transform both Las Brisas and San Antonio into forward-thinking specialty farms.
Together, the two farms cover 119 hectares, with 98 hectares planted in coffee, located in Juayúa within the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range. Carlos is deeply committed to sustainability, traceability, and producer education, continuously refining both cultivation and processing while supporting the broader farming community.
Varietal & Process
Variety: Pacamara
Process: Natural
Drying: Raised beds, whole cherry dried for 15–20 days
Altitude: 1,200–2,030 m
Producer: Carlos Pola — Finca Las Brisas & Finca San Antonio, Juayúa, Sonsonate, El Salvador
Harvest: October–March
Pacamara, a natural hybrid of Pacas and Maragogype developed in El Salvador, is known for its large bean size and expressive cup profiles. For this natural lot, cherries are selectively handpicked at peak ripeness and dried whole on raised beds. Frequent turning ensures even drying and preserves clarity despite the extended fruit contact.
In line with Carlos’s ecological philosophy, the natural process maximizes flavor development while minimizing water usage, allowing the variety’s inherent complexity and sweetness to fully unfold.
Tasting Notes
🥭 Mango – 🍑 Plum – 🍒 Cranberries
A vibrant and fruit-driven cup with lush tropical sweetness and layered red-fruit acidity. Ripe mango brings juiciness and body, plum adds depth and roundness, while cranberry notes introduce a bright, refreshing tension. Bold yet controlled, with a long, structured finish.
In Collaboration
Mikael met Carlos a few years ago at a cupping event and they hit it off. When Parcel launched, he contacted us to work together and we were flattered to be able to collaborate on two batches from his farm for the launch of our roastery.
This Pacamara Natural reflects Carlos Pola’s ability to balance tradition and innovation, revealing the full expressive potential of El Salvador’s flagship variety. Through careful farming, responsible processing, and a relentless focus on quality, this lot stands as a confident and generous expression of origin, variety, and craft.