El Carmen is a shade-grown Bourbon coffee farm on the Chinchontepec volcano in San Vicente, El Salvador. Managed by the Cristiani Burkard family since 1955, the farm is committed to high-quality coffee, sustainable practices, and employee well-being.
Bourbon and Pacamara varieties grow between 900–1,700 meters above sea level. Cherries are hand-picked and processed at the farm’s certified mill, where they are washed and dried naturally. El Carmen mills only its own coffee, ensuring consistency and exceptional flavor.
As a Rainforest Alliance–certified operation, the farm meets rigorous environmental and social standards. Half of its land is preserved as a natural reserve, and its shade-grown coffee supports native and migratory species. In a highly deforested country, shade coffee now represents about 70% of El Salvador’s forest cover.
El Carmen prioritizes non-chemical pest control, uses cassava plants to reduce soil erosion, and plants trees yearly to sustain both the plantation and local wildlife. The mill uses just 10% of the water required by traditional mills, and all by-products are reused or recycled.
The farm also promotes education, healthcare, and recreation for workers. More than 200 families benefit year-round, rising to 600 during harvest.
El Carmen believes its coffee reflects the beauty of its home—and hopes you enjoy CB coffee as much as they enjoy producing it.
