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	FEATURING SPECIALTY COFFEES “Flavor Characteristics vary markedly from region to region and farm to farm but the common thread is a very balanced and sweet cup profile that reflects the inherent virtues of the heirloom Arabica types planted and consistently flawless processing” Salvadoran Coffee Tasting Notes by Kevin Knox El Salvador has the great challenge of appreciating its traditional coffee while at the same time increasing international awareness of its specialty coffee segment, which has been growing progressively since the 90’s. Salvadoran Specialty coffee is an experience that you should live. Coffee varieties, weather conditions, cultural practices as well as a steady supply guaranties all the consumer and buyer quality requirements.
	We invite you to take a look of our coffee tradition from a different perspective… a Specialty Perspective Gourmet Coffee The minimum requirements for classification as gourmet coffee by the Salvadoran Coffee Council are:
	• It has to be at least 90% of the following botanical origins: Bourbon, Pacamara or Maragogipe; • Harvested 100% ripe, red wine colored; • Cherries must be collected in a specific receiving bin at the mill: The bin has to be 100% free of unripe beans; • Processed completely apart from other coffee; • Natural fermentation, according to localization of the mill and weather conditions; • Washed in clean, fresh water; • 100% sun patio dried; • Handpicked and cleaned; • Export classification: 0% defects, 100% above screen 16; • Prepared and bagged in special sacs of henequen; • It has to present green-bluish color; • With average moisture of 12.0%.
	Since 1994, the Itzalco Coffee Association of El Salvador, a project born as a cooperation agreement between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Salvadoran Coffee Council to promote the production of gourmet coffee, has been penetrating the Specialty coffee niche with their Itzalco Premium brand. Sustainable Coffees • Organic • Fair Trade • Shade-Grown The cooperatives belonging to the reformed sector in our country have spearheaded the well-known presence of Salvadoran coffee in the organic and fair trade markets. But not only reformed sector has been producing these specialty coffees but many private exporters have. More recently, hundreds of coffee growers gathered in the Sustainable Coffee Association of El Salvador, have entered to the coffee and biodiversity program, administered by the local non-governmental organization “SalvaNatura” and under the “Rainforest Alliance” Certification. This sustainable certification is a way of assisting farmers, protecting agricultural workers, maintaining a habitat for wildlife and providing the consumer with the opportunity to contribute to a sustainable agriculture. The Specialty Coffee Association of El Salvador was born in April 2003 with the main objective of promoting Salvadoran Specialty Coffees overseas, including Gourmet, Organic, Environmentally-friendly coffees, Fair-trade and also support the development and boost consumption of shade grown coffees. Founder members include small, medium and large coffee growers, cooperatives of producers and exporters, private miller/exporters, etc. This recently formed association expects, in the short run, to gather together the entire specialty coffee industry, to support them in production and marketing of their products and to guide the promotion of Salvadoran Specialty Coffees in consuming nations.