Pacamara – El Salvador’s Iconic Specialty Coffee

At Firebat Coffee, we take pride in connecting our Canadian coffee community with the most exceptional direct trade coffee from El Salvador. Among all coffee grown in El Salvador, few embody the country’s innovation and terroir as beautifully as Pacamara.

A Coffee Born in El Salvador

El Salvador may be small – about the size of Lake Ontario – but it has made an outsized contribution to the world of specialty coffee. With over 20 still active volcanoes, nutrient-rich soils, and dramatic highlands, the country provides the perfect environment for unique coffee varieties to flourish.

Pacamara was developed here in 1958 by the Institute of Coffee Studies in El Salvador, the result of carefully crossing two distinctive beans: Pacas and Maragogype.

• Pacas was discovered in 1949 at Finca San Rafael in Santa Ana, owned by the Pacas family. It’s a natural Bourbon mutation, valued for its good body and adaptability.

• Maragogype, also known as the Elephant bean, is a mutation of Typica and famous for its unusually large beans. Though the plant produces less fruit, it offers extraordinary cup quality.

By combining the resilience of Pacas with the elegance of Maragogype, Salvadoran researchers created Pacamara – a variety now admired worldwide for both its uniqueness and excellence.

The Flavor Experience

Pacamara stands out for its dazzling complexity. It offers a jasmine-like aroma, a balanced medium body, and juicy citrus acidity. Flavor notes often include chocolate, raspberry, orange, and subtle spices like cinnamon. Every harvest and region brings out new dimensions, which is why it’s so highly prized among coffee professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Perfectly Suited to Salvadoran Highlands

Pacamara thrives in high-altitude regions with cooler climates, such as Chalatenango. Its resistance to wind and manageable tree size make it particularly well-suited to El Salvador’s steep volcanic slopes, where conditions allow the bean to fully develop its bold yet refined character.

From Our Farm to Your Cup

At Firebat, our connection to Pacamara is deeply personal. On our own farm, Balam, in El Salvador, we cultivate Pacamara ourselves. This gives us firsthand insight into how terroir, altitude, and processing influence its flavor. It also allows us to bring Pacamara to Burlington as part of our direct trade sourcing—ensuring transparency, sustainability, and exceptional quality from farm to cup.

A True Salvadoran Legacy

Pacamara is more than just a coffee variety—it’s a testament to El Salvador’s ingenuity, resilience, and rich coffee heritage. By choosing Firebat’s Pacamara, you’re not only enjoying one of the most celebrated beans in the specialty coffee world, but also supporting the farmers and traditions that make it possible.

Try some of our Pacamara beans: