El Salvador — Carlos Escobar

Anaerobic Natural Gesha · Special Offering

This coffee comes from Finca Las Marías, a historic estate in the Quezaltepec / El Bálsamo region of El Salvador, and represents one of the most intentional and community-centered coffee projects we have encountered.

All background information below was provided directly by Carlos Escobar and his team and shared with us through Forest Flame. The original materials were written in Spanish and translated for Peregrine.

A Historic Estate, Renewed

The origins of Finca Las Marías trace back to the late 1800s, when it was owned by Dr. Pío Romero Bosque, who later served as President of El Salvador from 1927 to 1931. His family maintained ownership until the 1980s, when agrarian reform laws resulted in the estate being impounded, leaving the family with only reservation rights.

In 2010, the current ownership acquired those rights from Dr. Romero Bosque’s descendants and began a comprehensive renewal of the property. Aging Bourbon plantings were replaced or supplemented with carefully selected varieties, including Gesha, Pacamara, Villa Sarchi, Bourbon 300, Yellow Bourbon, Marseillaise, and others, while also restoring traditional Red Bourbon. Today, the estate spans approximately 350 acres, with a significant portion fully renovated and actively cultivated.

Investment in People and Place

When the Escobar family acquired Finca Las Marías, they encountered twenty families living on the property under extremely poor conditions. Their first priority was immediate improvement to quality of life. Permanent housing with electricity, potable water, and sanitation was constructed, replacing unsafe living conditions.

Healthcare access followed. A fully equipped medical clinic was built on the farm, staffed by a full-time nurse and a visiting physician twice weekly. Services include preventative care, vaccinations, lab work, prenatal support, and nutritional assistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinic became a frontline resource for education, monitoring, and prevention—resulting in zero reported cases among residents.

Education was addressed with equal care. A neglected on-site school was fully renovated, provided with water, electricity, restrooms, computers, and supplies. Teacher salaries are covered by the farm, and school attendance has grown to support multiple daily shifts. During harvest season, a daycare facility operates to ensure children are cared for safely while parents work.

Each harvest concludes with a community celebration hosted by the farm—an expression of gratitude that reflects the values behind every lot produced.

Coffee with Precision and Purpose

Finca Las Marías is farmed without the use of dangerous pesticides, and workers are consistently equipped with appropriate protective gear. The farm currently holds both Rainforest Alliance and CAFE Practices certifications.

This Gesha lot is grown at approximately 1,400 meters in volcanic soil under a carefully managed microclimate. Processed as an anaerobic natural, the coffee showcases both varietal elegance and the expressive intensity that thoughtful fermentation can provide—without sacrificing clarity.

In the Cup

Raspberry

A vivid, fruit-forward opening marked by tart red raspberry. The acidity is lively but controlled, immediately signaling the anaerobic natural process.

Dark Chocolate

A grounding note of bittersweet dark chocolate brings structure and depth, reflecting the classic strengths of Salvadoran coffee and balancing the fruit.

Lychee

Juicy, tropical, and slightly boozy, the finish carries the unmistakable character of lychee—adding complexity and a lingering sweetness that evolves as the cup cools.

This coffee is an intersection of heritage, innovation, and responsibility—a Gesha that reflects not only meticulous processing, but a long-term commitment to people and place.