This is a single estate coffee from Finca Bosque Lya in El Salvador, located on the foothills of the Ilamatepec Volcano in the Apaneca Mountain range. Established in 1932 and named after the owner's daughter Lya, the farm won first place in the 2004 Cup of Excellence. It grows Red Bourbon coffee varieties at altitudes between 1,473 and 1,650 meters. The cherries are processed at El Borbollon mill using washed method, then hand-sorted by skilled women. The coffee has an SCA Cup Score of 84.5 with tasting notes of pear, orange, brown sugar, and cashew. Medium roast.
Darren Tickner founded Bean Smitten in 2014 after leaving a 20 year career in financial services, setting up in a rural location on the Kent and East Sussex border near Flimwell. The roastery hand roasts in small batches with a focus on ethically traded, fully traceable beans. The Classic Blend earned three stars at the Great Taste Awards in 2021 and went on to become a finalist in the Gold Fork Awards. Bean Smitten also serves as an official distributor of Sanremo espresso machines, advising businesses on equipment selection, installation, and servicing. The operation supplies cafes and businesses across Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, while retail customers can buy online or at local farmers markets in Tonbridge and Aylesford.
