Mauricio Salaverria

The Mauricio Salaverria coffee comes from Finca Himalaya, an estate in western El Salvador. This finca lies in the mountainous Apaneca-Ilamatepec region near the town of Concepción de Ataco, at around 1,500 meters altitude. The area is known for its fertile volcanic soil and ideal climate for quality coffee. Finca Himalaya covers about 24 hectares and has been in the Salaverria family since the late 19th century. Mauricio Salaverria is the proud fifth-generation coffee farmer here, and his estate was among the first specialty coffee farms in El Salvador.

BeanBrothers roasts this coffee artisanally to a medium roast profile. This roast balances lively acidity and sweet flavors, allowing both fruit nuances and caramel tones to shine. There is both a filter roast and an espresso roast available. The filter coffee is roasted slightly lighter to emphasize the fruity accents, while the espresso variant is a bit darker for more body and balance in the cup. The result is a perfectly balanced coffee with a medium to smooth body and a pleasant, gently bitter aftertaste.

This coffee is packed with flavor nuances that stand out immediately. In the aroma, you’ll recognize sweet notes of caramel and ripe red fruit, as if you’re smelling freshly baked cherry pastry. On tasting, flavors of juicy cherry and redcurrant come forward, interwoven with velvety chocolate and toffee-like sweetness. The flavors are clearly defined and beautifully balanced – fruity and sweet, but never overdone. Thanks to the moderate to bright acidity, the cup remains sparkling, while the creamy body provides a pleasant mouthfeel and a long, pleasantly sweet finish.

Mauricio’s coffee is processed using the natural method (unwashed). This means the coffee cherries are laid out whole to dry in the sun after picking. At Finca Himalaya, only fully ripe, red cherries are handpicked for this process. The cherries dry slowly on raised beds for several weeks, being turned regularly and covered at night. Because the drying happens within the fruit itself, the sugars in the pulp ferment into the bean, contributing to intense fruity aromas and a fuller, sweeter profile. This processing method is challenging to perfect, but Mauricio is known for his craftsmanship – he devotes great care to the natural drying process, which is clearly reflected in the coffee’s complexity.

The Mauricio Salaverria is an Arabica coffee composed of several distinctive varieties. On the finca, Bourbon and Pacas grow among others – both varieties known for their balanced flavor and pleasant sweetness. In addition, Mauricio cultivates Pacamara, a cross developed in El Salvador from Pacas and the large-beaned Maragogype. Pacamara yields extra-large beans and a complex flavor profile with both floral and spicy accents. Maragogype itself, also called the elephant bean due to its size, lends the blend body and subtle chocolate tones. At Finca Himalaya, they also experiment with exotic varieties such as Geisha and the Kenyan SL28, further expanding the diversity of flavors.

Sustainability is central to both the producer and the roaster. On the plantation, the coffee grows under shade trees in a volcanic mountain landscape, which helps preserve local biodiversity. Mauricio works with the specialty market so he receives a fair price for his microlots – often significantly higher than the global market price for coffee. These direct trade relationships allow farmers like him to invest in quality and their community. BeanBrothers supports these sustainable partnerships and also operates in an eco-friendly way. All orders are delivered CO₂-neutral (by bicycle courier in the city or by electric transport), and the coffee is packaged in environmentally friendly, compostable bags. Anyone who buys this coffee not only enjoys a great taste, but also supports a responsible chain from farmer to cup.

This versatile coffee lends itself well to various brewing methods. For slow coffee methods such as filter or cafetière, the Mauricio Salaverria is highly suitable – use, for example, a V60 dripper or French press to bring out the rich flavors. Start with freshly ground coffee, water around 94°C, and a ratio of about 1:16 (coffee to water) for a balanced cup of filter coffee. It also performs excellently as an espresso. With a medium-fine grind and a shot time of ~25–30 seconds, you’ll get a full espresso in which the caramel and chocolate notes come to the fore, supported by a fruity hint. Thanks to its rounded body and clearly defined tasting notes, this coffee also shines in milk drinks: a cappuccino or flat white with Mauricio’s coffee offers sweet, chocolate-milk-like nuances. Feel free to experiment with different brew methods; this coffee delivers an engaging flavor experience in both pour-over and pressure-based preparations.

Mauricio Salaverria and his Finca Himalaya have been recognized multiple times in the coffee world. He has successfully competed for years in the Cup of Excellence competitions in El Salvador. In no fewer than ten editions he placed among the country’s top 25 coffees – an impressive achievement that underscores his consistent quality. Several of his microlots achieved top rankings, including a top-7 placement during the Cup of Excellence 2015 and even 5th place in a recent year. Coffee experts and judges praise the complexity and clarity of Mauricio’s coffees, which regularly score in the high 80s on quality cuppings. The international esteem for this coffee is also evident from the fact that specialty roasters worldwide are eager to work with Mauricio’s beans. His name has become synonymous with excellent Salvadoran coffee.

The Mauricio Salaverria coffee from BeanBrothers comes in a stylish and thoughtfully designed bag. The packaging design is minimalist and modern: a sleek kraft paper bag with the BeanBrothers logo and the coffee’s name clearly on the front. Notable is the text “I’m compostable” at the top – the entire bag is fully compostable and aligns with BeanBrothers’ sustainable vision. The packaging is not only eco-conscious but also functional. The bag features a freshness valve and a resealable strip, so the coffee’s complex aromas are optimally preserved after opening. The combination of attractive design and practical details means this coffee presents beautifully on the shelf and keeps the beans fresh for longer.

Mauricio Salaverria’s coffee is available as specialty coffee at BeanBrothers. Because it is a microlot from a specific harvest, supply is limited and often seasonal, once it is gone, it is gone. The beans can be easily ordered via the webshop or bought in the BeanBrothers roastery shop in Eindhoven. A 400 gram bag (espresso roast) costs around €16 to €17, which amounts to a price typical of high quality single origin coffee of this caliber. The filter variant is available in smaller quantities, for example ~250 grams, for about €14 to €15 per bag. Despite the slightly higher price than standard supermarket beans, this gives back a unique coffee experience. Enthusiasts appreciate the excellent price to quality ratio, especially given the craftsmanship and awards behind this special coffee.