Specialty coffee El Salvador Hermanos Menas Sulafat FFRE Geisha

Species: 100% Arabica Variety: Geisha Process: Anaerobic Natural – Sleeping Bag Fermentation: Anaerobic fermentation in whole coffee cherries Altitude: 1,300–1,388 masl Screen Size: 14/18 Region: Apaneca-Ilamatepec, El Salvador Producers: Hermanos Mena – Jorge, Alfredo and Víctor Mena Farm: Villa España Category: Specialty Coffee

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Region El Salvador

Origin & Production – El Salvador Sulafat FFRE, Villa España Farm

El Salvador Sulafat FFRE is an exceptional specialty coffee from the Apaneca-Ilamatepec region of El Salvador, produced by the Mena brothers at their family-owned Villa España Farm, located in Concepción de Ataco.

The name Sulafat comes from a star used to identify coffee lots produced by the Mena family. This coffee belongs to Mare Terra Coffee's Constellations collection, where each lot is distinguished by its variety, flavour, aroma and processing method.

Villa España is managed by Jorge, Alfredo and Víctor Mena, three brothers representing the sixth generation of a coffee-producing family whose roots date back to the late 19th century.

The farm was among the first established in the area and historically operated a steam-powered coffee processing mill, which remained in use until approximately 1970.

Today, each brother contributes specialised knowledge to the family business.

Jorge Mena oversees administrative and commercial management, including exporting coffee to the United States and Europe.

Alfredo Mena leads agricultural production, from plant nurseries to harvesting, while maintaining relationships with other coffee producers to exchange knowledge and improve farming practices.

Víctor Mena focuses on financial analysis and investment planning, working to improve productivity and increase value throughout the production process.

The family follows a long-term plantation renewal strategy, replacing older coffee plants with new varieties adapted to local growing conditions.

An experimental variety garden also allows the brothers to evaluate how different coffee plants perform in the region.

Situated in the picturesque municipality of Concepción de Ataco, Villa España combines favourable growing conditions, generations of agricultural experience and a modern approach to coffee quality.

For the Mena brothers, coffee represents more than a family tradition. It is a commitment to quality, innovation and preserving their family's legacy.

Cultivated between 1,300 and 1,388 metres above sea level, Sulafat FFRE is produced from the prestigious Geisha variety, renowned for its floral complexity and elegant aromatic characteristics.

The coffee cherries are selectively hand-picked between January and March, ensuring that only appropriately ripened fruit is selected for processing.

Its distinctive anaerobic natural processing method develops a rich sensory profile, bringing together strawberry, mango, honey, panela and green tea.

Sulafat FFRE represents six generations of coffee heritage, the elegance of Geisha and innovative fermentation techniques.

Processing Method – Anaerobic Natural Sleeping Bag

One of the defining characteristics of El Salvador Sulafat FFRE is its Anaerobic Natural Sleeping Bag processing method.

This technique combines anaerobic fermentation of whole coffee cherries with a specialised outdoor drying method designed to develop distinctive flavour characteristics.

According to Mare Terra Coffee, the process involves four main stages:

1. Cherry reception: Freshly harvested coffee cherries are received for processing.

2. Ripeness sorting: The cherries are carefully selected according to their ripeness to improve consistency.

3. Anaerobic fermentation: Whole coffee cherries undergo fermentation in an oxygen-restricted environment.

4. Sleeping Bag drying: Following fermentation, the cherries are dried outdoors using the specialised Sleeping Bag technique.

During anaerobic fermentation, microorganisms transform certain compounds within the coffee fruit, influencing the development of aromatic and flavour characteristics.

Because the cherries remain whole throughout fermentation, the process can contribute to greater fruit intensity and aromatic complexity.

The subsequent Sleeping Bag drying stage completes the natural processing method, helping develop the coffee's final sensory expression.

For Sulafat FFRE, this combination creates an elegant floral and fruity sensory profile, with strawberry, mango, honey, panela and green tea.

Strawberry contributes a juicy red-fruit character, while mango introduces tropical sweetness. Honey and panela add a rich impression of sweetness, balanced by the delicate herbal characteristics of green tea.

The result is a coffee that combines floral elegance, tropical fruit, natural sweetness and delicate herbal notes.

The supplier does not specify the exact fermentation duration or detailed drying parameters for this particular lot.

About the Variety – Geisha

Geisha, also known as Gesha, is one of the most celebrated Arabica varieties in the specialty coffee industry, recognised for its extraordinary aromatic complexity and distinctive floral characteristics.

Originally associated with Ethiopia, the variety later spread to Central America, where it gained international recognition for its exceptional cup quality.

Geisha is particularly appreciated for its ability to develop delicate floral aromas, refined fruit notes, elegant sweetness and vibrant acidity.

When cultivated under suitable conditions and processed carefully, the variety can produce an exceptionally sophisticated sensory experience.

In El Salvador Sulafat FFRE, Geisha provides the foundation for an expressive floral profile, while anaerobic natural processing contributes to its pronounced fruit character and sweetness.

The combination creates a coffee featuring strawberry, mango, honey, panela and green tea, offering a distinctive interpretation of the Geisha variety.

Unlike coffees with predominantly chocolate or nutty characteristics, Geisha offers a more delicate and aromatic experience, making it particularly attractive to enthusiasts seeking floral complexity.

Why Choose This Coffee?

El Salvador Sulafat FFRE is an excellent choice for specialty coffee enthusiasts looking for an elegant, floral and fruit-forward coffee with pronounced sweetness.

Produced by the Mena brothers at Villa España Farm, this coffee combines the distinctive characteristics of the Geisha variety with anaerobic natural fermentation and the Sleeping Bag drying technique.

Its sensory profile reveals strawberry, mango, honey and panela, complemented by delicate notes of green tea.

The strawberry notes create a juicy and vibrant first impression, while mango adds tropical depth. Honey and panela contribute sweetness, balanced by the gentle herbal qualities of green tea.

Unlike more traditional coffees dominated by chocolate, caramel or nuts, Sulafat FFRE offers a distinctive experience that combines floral refinement with expressive fruit characteristics.

With an SCA score of 88.25 points, this coffee belongs to the Excellence (86–89) category within the Martines quality classification system.

Its aromatic complexity makes it particularly suitable for filter brewing, where the fruit, sweetness and delicate herbal characteristics can develop clearly in the cup.

For Martines, a carefully developed Light roast could be an interesting alternative to the supplier's Light-Medium sample roast, potentially emphasising the coffee's floral characteristics and fruit clarity while preserving sweetness. This should be validated through roasting trials and cupping.

Six generations of coffee heritage. The elegance of Geisha. An exceptional floral and fruity experience.