Day 10: El Salvador, Monte-Sion Estate
Day 10 of RISE Coffee Countdown Calendar - El Salvador, Monte-Sion Estate Cerro Cachio
Origin: El Salvador
Location: Cerro Cachio
Altitude: 1,400 masl
Bean: Arabica
Varietals: Bourbon
Process: Fully washed
Certifications: Rainforest Alliance certified
Tasting notes: Wine, almonds, chocolate and peach
Why Alice and Ben love it: This Rainforest Alliance certified coffee comes from a generational farm and is an amazingly complex coffee with great sweetness and body.
About the coffee:
The Monte Sión Estate, founded in 1906 by the Urrutía family, is an amazing example of exceptional coffee production combined with meaningful social impact. Managed today by Dr. Luis Urrutía and his wife, the estate farm is nestled in the beautiful Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range in El Salvador and is renowned for its top-quality specialty coffees.
Set at elevations between 1,200 and 1,700 metres, the estate benefits from volcanic soil, a cool climate, and shade-grown practices, all of which help produce coffee with a rich, sweet flavour profile. Notes of full-bodied wine, soft peach acidity, and candy-like sweetness culminate in a persistently sweet finish. This makes Monte Sión’s coffee ideal as a rich espresso or an outstanding filter brew.
Sustainability is at the heart of Monte Sión’s practices. Since earning Rainforest Alliance certification in 2001, the estate has worked towards becoming fully organic. Its location in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor allows it to play a vital role in supporting migratory bird species, with studies confirming that over a third of the birds found on the farm rely on its forest cover for survival.
The estate’s commitment to its workers and surrounding communities is equally impressive. Through its nonprofit organisation, Fundación MonteSión Nuevo Amanecer, the estate provides healthcare, education, housing, clothing, and nutrition to workers and their families. This effort has even garnered recognition from the United Nations for its contributions to reducing poverty in El Salvador.
With a legacy of producing award-winning coffees and maintaining a steadfast dedication to sustainability and social progress, Monte Sión Estate continues to represent a harmonious blend of heritage, environmental care, and community support. Every cup of their coffee offers a glimpse into this unique story.
