Manuel Jesús Castañeda, a coffee producer from Chalatenango, El Salvador, has spent the last few years transforming his family farm into a place of quality, experimentation, and opportunity. Although he began producing specialty coffee only three years ago, his curiosity and determination to improve have driven him to refine every step of the process—from fermenting in sealed bags to carefully drying the coffee on African beds. He works alongside his brother Marvin, who supports him in agronomy and fieldwork, while his sister manages the administrative tasks.
The farm, is known for its cold and cloudy climate, a unique environment that slows the fruit’s maturation and contributes to the distinctive profile of his coffee, particularly the farm’s main variety, Pacamara. Manuel is is proud of the landscape that surrounds him and the strong sense of camaraderie with his workers, with whom he shares lively and joyful days.
His biggest challenge is the climate, but it is also what makes his coffee exceptional. Today, Manuel dreams of continuing to experiment, improving his processes.
