One of the most stunning examples of quality we’ve seen this year has been Elefante, a highly  prized variety from the farm of Gloria Rodriguez in El Salvador. Elefante is a new coffee variety that was discovered on Gloria’s farm in the western municipality of Apaneca. The coffee tree that grows this unique variety is similar to a bourbon variety, yet has some similarities in leaf spacing and branches to a typica coffee tree. The density of Elefante’s fruit is double the weight of bourbon cherries, and the juice it produces is generally quadruple what would come out of a coffee cherry when squeezed.

Our roasting partner, Madcap Coffee Co., is the exclusive U.S. supplier of Elefante. As you might expect, this outstanding coffee is in extremely limited supply. We’re offering Elefante as a pour over with some 12 oz retail bags available for purchase. The coffee is noted for its intense sweetness, great body and floral and tea-like notes. Look for sweet peach, berry and lime in the cup.

Gloria Rodriguez is a third generation coffee farmer who has produced several of the most heralded coffees to emerge from El Salvador in recent years. In 2008, Gloria produced a coffee on her farm in the western municipality of Apaneca that went on to win the nation’s Cup of Excellence competition. From that time, Gloria and her family have worked with Madcap to deliver some outstanding coffees to the U.S. specialty market. In addition to Elefante, we’re also carrying Gloria’s El Porvenir, an excellent coffee in its own right.