El Salvador Natamaya SL-28 Natural represents a decade of patience at Finca Natamaya, where Hermann and Nena Mendez have nurtured experimental SL-28 trees at high elevation specifically for exceptional cup quality. This is only the second year these trees have produced enough cherry for release—a limited expression from Ruby Coffee Roasters that showcases what happens when meticulous farming meets natural processing.
The SL-28 varietal, originally from Kenya, thrives in Natamaya's microclimate, and the natural process amplifies its inherent fruitiness into something almost unrecognizable compared to the farm's traditional washed lots. Where Natamaya typically delivers clean, structured sweetness, this natural-process edition bursts with ripe, jammy character.
Tasting Notes
Ruby tastes red grape, nougat, raspberry, and strudel in this medium-light roast. The cup opens with vibrant red grape acidity that immediately signals the natural process at work—juicy, almost effervescent on the front of the palate. Nougat sweetness anchors the mid-palate with a creamy, nutty depth that balances the fruit. Raspberry emerges as the coffee cools, jammy and concentrated, while a subtle strudel note—think pastry crust with fruit filling—lingers in the finish.
The body is fuller than you'd expect from a medium-light roast, thanks to the mucilage dried onto the bean during natural processing. Acidity is bright but not sharp, more raspberry jam than citrus. The finish is clean despite the fruit-forward profile, a testament to Hermann's controlled fermentation protocols and careful drying.
Brew Methods
This coffee excels in pour-over methods where clarity and complexity can shine—V60, Kalita Wave, or Chemex will highlight the layered fruit notes and sweet finish. The natural process also makes it a stellar choice for immersion brewing: French press or Clever Dripper will emphasize body and bring out the nougat sweetness. While not roasted specifically for espresso, adventurous home baristas will find it pulls a fruit-bomb shot with proper dialing-in—expect raspberry syrup intensity and a creamy mouthfeel.
Grind slightly coarser than you might for other light-roasted naturals to avoid over-extraction of the fruit sugars, which can turn muddled. Water temperature around 200-203°F preserves the delicate red grape brightness.
About Ruby Coffee Roasters
Ruby Coffee Roasters in Nelsonville, Wisconsin, has worked directly with the Mendez family since 2012, even helping them sort 50 micro-lots in a single harvest to map flavor differences across Finca Natamaya's parcels. That partnership depth shows in every bag—these are coffees sourced with intention and roasted with intimate knowledge of the farm.
Clive's coffee team can help you dial in grinder settings and recommend equipment pairings to make the most of this rare, expressive lot while it lasts.