El Salvador - SHG Monte Carmelo Red Bourbon

TASTING NOTES: Lemon Tea, Blackcurrant, Grapefruit
GENERAL NOTES: Clean and bright with a pronounced acidity, sweet fruit and stone fruit notes, medium body
GROWING REGION: Finca Monte Carmelo
ALTITUDE: 1350 Meters Above Sea Level (MASL)
PROCESS: Washed
CERTIFICATION: Organic

El Salvador SHG Monte Carmelo Red Bourbon is a high-quality coffee known for its rich and complex flavor profile. It is grown on the Monte Carmelo farm, located in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range in western El Salvador. This area is renowned for its coffee production, with ideal growing conditions that include high altitude, volcanic soil, and a mild climate. The farm is located on a volcanic range that includes several active and dormant volcanoes. While the Monte Carmelo farm is not sitting directly on a volcano, it is situated in an area with volcanic soil and benefits from the minerals and nutrients provided by the volcanic ash. 

The Monte Carmelo farm sits at an altitude of 1,350 meters above sea level, which is considered to be an optimal elevation for growing coffee. This earns it the SHG moniker, which stands for "Strictly High Grown;" a coffee grading classification based on the altitude at which the coffee is grown. The SHG classification is used for coffee grown at elevations above 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) above sea level.

Coffee grown at high altitudes is generally considered to be of higher quality than coffee grown at lower elevations, as it tends to have a slower maturation process, resulting in a denser bean with more concentrated flavors. High altitude also typically means cooler temperatures, which can result in a more acidic and complex cup profile.

The SHG classification is often used to differentiate specialty grade coffee from commercial grade coffee, as specialty coffee is typically grown at higher altitudes and requires more attention to detail in the farming and processing methods.

The Red Bourbon varietal is known for its sweetness and complexity, with notes of caramel, chocolate, and stone fruit. The combination of the high altitude and careful processing methods used on the Monte Carmelo farm helps to bring out the unique characteristics of the Red Bourbon beans, resulting in a truly exceptional coffee.