Discover coffee from the World's Best Roaster

In 2025, we sourced a fourth-place El Salvador Cup of Excellence lot from Finca La Esperanza, a farm stewarded by Café Pacas -- one one of El Salvador’s most influential coffee-producing families, widely recognised for shaping the country’s specialty coffee landscape.

La Esperanza spans elevations from 1,000 to 1,750 metres above sea level, where altitude, distance, and terrain play a defining role in daily farm decisions. Beyond elevation, the estate is distinguished by its rich, biodiverse shade, which protects the coffee trees, stabilises the microclimate, and contributes depth and structure in the cup.

The Pacas family has played a unique role in coffee history, having discovered and registered two Arabica varieties on their estates: Pacas and Bernardina. Bernardina, one of the most elegant newer varieties, was named in honour of Ruperto Bernardino Merche, the farm foreman who first recognised its potential and convinced the family of its uniqueness. Genetic analysis later revealed approximately 70% Geisha lineage, reflected in its refined floral character, citrus clarity, and delicate peach-like sweetness.