Pacamara
Hybrid variety created in El Salvador in 1958 by crossing Pacas and Maragogipe. Exceptionally large bean, complex aromatic profile (floral, chocolate, exotic fruits). Particularly expressive in El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Background & Context
Pacamara is a large-seeded Arabica hybrid variety developed by the Salvadoran Coffee Research Institute (ISIC) in 1958 through a controlled cross between Pacas (a compact Bourbon mutation) and Maragogipe (an Ethiopian-origin large-bean Typica mutation discovered in Brazil in 1870). The combination produces an exceptionally large bean — often twice the volume of standard Arabica seeds — with a complex cup profile that can include bright acidity, distinct florality, stone fruit, and spice notes when grown at high altitude. Pacamara has performed exceptionally at Cup of Excellence El Salvador competitions since the 1990s, placing in top positions multiple times — establishing El Salvador's premium specialty identity around this single variety. Pacamara's flavour complexity varies significantly with altitude: above 1,400m it expresses its full aromatic potential; below 1,000m it loses distinctiveness and can produce flat, heavy cups.
Practical Use
Working with Pacamara requires attention to its physical characteristics. The large bean size means that standard espresso grinder burrs calibrated for Typica or Bourbon-sized beans may produce inconsistent grinds with Pacamara — the extra mass requires slightly different particle production dynamics. For roasting, Pacamara's dense, large bean needs careful heat management: early-phase energy input should be moderate (to avoid scorching the exterior while the interior is still cold) with a controlled RoR through the Maillard phase. In the cup, well-grown high-altitude Pacamara is one of the most compelling single-origin espresso experiences available — its acidity, sweetness, and body balance at 1:2–1:2.5 ratio produce a layered, evolving shot that changes character as it cools. For home roasters and single-origin enthusiasts, Pacamara is one of the most visually distinctive green coffees: the exceptionally large bean (often twice the size of Caturra) makes sorting and visual quality assessment easier than with smaller varieties. El Salvador Cup of Excellence results since 1999 show Pacamara consistently placing in the top tier — making the competition's annual winners list a reliable proxy for sourcing exceptional Pacamara lots with documented, internationally verified quality.
Related Terms
Related terms: Pacamara variety, Maragogipe, Bourbon, Cup of Excellence, Altitude.