Olive Tree Estate Coffee Beans

Crops are a truly fascinating domain. As the ancient saying goes, "Oranges grown in Huainan are oranges, but those grown in Huaibei are zhǐ (a bitter orange)." This anecdote clearly conveys a simple truth: even the same variety can perform differently when planted in another location. The SL28, which thrives in Kenya, has taken strong root at the Olive Tree Estate in El Salvador. But how does it perform there?

The Olive Tree Estate is located in the Santa Ana volcanic region of El Salvador’s coffee-growing area. Rare volcanic flowers surround the farm, and the national park is home to wild deer, raccoons, wild boars, and other wildlife, creating an intriguing ecosystem. Coffee cultivation began here in the 1930s, giving the estate a long-standing history in coffee farming. Perhaps it is this heritage that has allowed their exceptional coffee-growing techniques to help the Kenyan SL28 flourish in a foreign land.

Since the estate is situated on a volcano, it benefits from highly fertile volcanic soil. In 2006, the Ilamatepec volcano erupted, and volcanic ash covered the estate directly. Although the coffee fields were damaged at the time, the fertile volcanic soil eventually enriched the land, leading to even better growing conditions in the years that followed.

Coffee at the Olive Tree Estate is cultivated using traditional methods passed down in El Salvador for generations. Local inga trees, pomelo trees, and olive trees are used as shade trees, with over 75 different tree species intercropped to form a natural forest canopy intertwined with the coffee trees. Together with the nourishment of the volcanic soil, this creates a beautiful coffee plantation.

The SL28, a Kenyan variety, was obtained by the estate from seeds acquired through informal exchanges among friends and planted in their fields. At an altitude of 1,800–1,950 meters on this volcanic soil, the coffee takes on a character distinct from its wild African profile. Grown in El Salvador, it offers the gentle flavors of tropical fruits—peaches, sweet honeydew, white peaches, passionfruit, and sweet oranges—blended with almond tea and fruity tea notes. It finishes with a soft, sweet aftertaste. It’s a coffee that is both delicate and bold.