The Los Tres Potros farm, located in the Apaneca region of El Salvador, is a family business run by GECA Coffee under the management of Nora Silvia Cabezas de Mendez Florez. The farm was acquired around 2001 and has since specialised in the production of high-quality speciality coffee. The farm, whose name means "The Three Foals" in German, refers to the owner's three sons, who share a deep passion for coffee and horses.
The family decided to grow Pacamara coffee at an altitude of 1500 metres on their 8,000 square metre plot. This decision has proven successful, as the farm's coffee beans are known for their creamy texture and sweet nuances, ranging from chocolate to tropical fruit flavours. Los Tres Potros has received several awards for its coffee quality, including the title of "Presidential Coffee" in 2016 with over 91 points. Los Tres Potros coffee is sold in markets in the USA, Europe and Asia.
Coffee production in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range, where Los Tres Potros is located, began in the middle of the 19th century. This region is known for its rich volcanic soil and diverse microclimates, which produce a variety of unique coffee flavours. As a rule, shade-grown coffee is cultivated here, growing under a canopy of various tree species. This protects the plants from direct sunlight and allows them to grow slowly, resulting in more complex flavours in the beans. Most coffee plantations in El Salvador, including those in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec region, use the wet processing method, where the coffee cherry pulp and skin are removed before the beans are fermented for up to 48 hours and then dried. This method is known for its clean and vibrant flavours.
