Second-generation coffee producer, Jose Enrique Gutierrez is dedicated to producing high-quality coffees in a sustainable manner. His family produced coffee in the eastern region of El Salvador but left due to low coffee prices and a civil war in the 1980s. Nevertheless, coffee is Jose’s passion and, when he purchased his first farm in 2007, he did so with a specialty mindset.
Finca Las Llantas is named for the car tires placed at the entrance, which serve as chairs where visitors can take in a spectacular view.
Cherry is handpicked at peak ripeness and delivered to the on-farm wet mill. At intake, workers visually hand sort cherry to remove any damaged, underripe or overripe cherry. Cherry is placed in airtight bags and sealed to ferment for 68 to 72 hours. Bags are kept in the shade to control fermentation.
Following fermentation, cherry is transported to the El Carmen mill in Ataco to sundry on raised beds. Workers at the mill turn cherry frequently to ensure even drying. It takes approximately 30 to 32 days for cherry to dry.
