SICAFESA
Sources: SICAFESA (website); U3 Coffee Interview — Carmen and Rafael Silva (May 2024); PRF Article — Sicafe as STE Host Sponsor (November 2022); Screaming Goose Coffee (website)
SICAFESA (also known as “Sicafe”) is a sixth-generation, family-owned specialty coffee company based in Apaneca, Ahuachapán, El Salvador. Founded in 1870 by Fabio Morán and Epifanio Silva, the company covers the full value chain: farming, wet and dry milling, export, and roasting. Their Beneficio San Pedro mill processes coffee for 25+ other producers annually and the company supports producer communities more broadly across El Salvador. (source: U3 Coffee Interview — Carmen and Rafael Silva)
SICAFESA is a direct peer and competitor of Kaiserblick Specialty Coffee — same region, same value chain, overlapping European export markets.
Key People
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Rafael Silva Sr. | Fifth-generation producer; built the modern operation; installed mill and established Llano Grande, San Cayetano, Divina Providencia |
| Carmen Silva | Daily operations manager; drove Cup of Excellence entries and direct client relationships; credited as the primary engine of Sicafe’s sales through deep personal relationships with buyers (joined family ~1989 via marriage to Rafael Sr.) |
| Rafael Silva Jr. | Innovation lead (joined September 2016); led varietal and processing development; discovered Elephant Bourbon and Salmon Bourbon; mill operations supervisor |
| Rodrigo Silva | Finance and sales |
| Valeria Silva | Website and social media |
Farms
Six estates in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range, all between 1,400 and 1,675 masl:
| Farm | Altitude | Location | Varieties | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Fany | 1,400–1,550 m | Apaneca, Ahuachapán | Red Bourbon, Orange Bourbon, Yellow Caturra, Pacamara, Yellow Icatu, Geisha, Yellow Bourbon, Salmon Bourbon | Dec–Feb |
| La Siberia | 1,450–1,675 m | Chalchuapa, Santa Ana | Red Bourbon, Yellow Caturra, Pacamara, SL-28, SL-34, Geisha, Java, Elephant Bourbon | Jan–Mar |
| Llano Grande | 1,500 m | Apaneca, Ahuachapán | Pacamara, Geisha | Jan–Mar |
| 1,400–1,450 m | Apaneca, Ahuachapán | Red Bourbon, Yellow Caturra, Catimor, Pacamara, SL-28, Ethiosar, Orange Bourbon | Dec–Feb | |
| Divina Providencia | 1,450 m | Apaneca, Ahuachapán | Red Bourbon | Dec–Feb |
| El Angel | 1,500–1,650 m | Santa Ana Volcano, Santa Ana | Red Bourbon, Orange Bourbon, Pacamara, Anacafé 14, SL-28, Geisha | Jan–Apr |
La Siberia and La Fany have histories dating to 1870. El Angel was acquired by Rafael Jr. in late 2022 or early 2023 (the SICAFESA website states December 2022; Screaming Goose product pages state “early March 2023” — date unresolved, possibly legal acquisition vs. operational start).
Note on San Cayetano: Finca San Cayetano was sold by the Silva family to the owner of Kaiserblick Specialty Coffee at the beginning of 2026. It was one of the farms established by Rafael Silva Sr. and won AVPA Paris 2017 under SICAFESA management. Kaiserblick continues to use SICAFESA’s Beneficio San Pedro mill for processing. See Finca San Cayetano. (source: Finca San Cayetano (website))
La Siberia has a uniquely late harvest due to fog coverage and micro-climate; coffee matures later than other farms. Its volcanic soils and morning fog at the summit create a distinctive cup profile. The company describes it as “one of the most celebrated [farms] in the world today” and identifies it as the oldest SICAFESA estate. (source: U3 Coffee Interview — Carmen and Rafael Silva)
Varieties
Red Bourbon constitutes 70–75% of all production and is described by the company as one of the best varieties globally for espresso. See Coffee Varieties for full profiles including SICAFESA proprietary discoveries.
Notable proprietary varieties:
- Elephant Bourbon — discovered at La Siberia 2018 by Rafael Jr. and the farm foreman. DNA tested as “Bourbon or derivative” by Syrah Laboratories in Paris. Cherries larger than Pacamara; tall, fast-growing trees with short, ground-facing branches. Cup (washed): green grapes, blueberries, mango, lime, papaya; cup (natural): berries, spicy pepper, fresh fruit.
- Salmon Bourbon — discovered November 2017 at La Fany by Rafael Jr. Cherry color intermediate between Red and Orange Bourbon. Planted at two small areas of La Fany; cup profile awaited.
Industry Engagement
SICAFESA has participated in the Producer Roaster Forum (PRF) since its inaugural 2016 El Salvador edition. In March 2023, they hosted the Sourcing Trip Experience (STE) — a 3-day immersive buyer visit — as part of PRF El Salvador 2023, bringing international roasters and importers to their farms in Apaneca and Santa Ana.
Mill — Beneficio San Pedro
Located in Apaneca, Ahuachapán. Key equipment:
- Wet mill: Penagos depulpers (eco-friendly; installed 2010; operating 2011; 50% water reduction)
- Dry mill: Brazilian Pinhalense equipment (installed 2012)
Processes offered: Full Washed, Semi-Washed, Honey, Natural, Experiments/Fermentations. SL-34 is processed with a Kenian Washed Process.
Drying stages:
- Patios — pre-drying for 2–5 days before moving to next stage
- Mechanical driers — used for SHG, HG, and non-specialty lots
- Raised beds — three areas; all gourmet-quality coffees finish drying here
Water supply: 1,100,000-gallon rainwater reservoirs, filtered for mill use.
Awards
Cup of Excellence
| Farm | Years |
|---|---|
| La Fany | 2005 |
| Llano Grande | 2010, 2012 |
| La Siberia | 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2021, 2022 |
| El Angel | 2nd place (naturals) and 7th place (experimental), 2024 — both with SL-28 varietal |
Coffee Review
La Siberia: 94 pts (2008), 92 pts (2009), 92 pts (2013).
AVPA Paris (Agence Pour la Valorisation Des Produits Agricoles)
La Fany (2016, 2018), La Siberia (2017), San Cayetano (2017), Entre Cerros Red Bourbon (2019), Entre Cerros Pacamara (2019).
Canadian Brand — Screaming Goose Coffee
In January 2024, Rafael Jr. (and partner Alejandra) founded Screaming Goose Coffee, a Canadian specialty roasting brand based in London, Ontario. The brand sells SICAFESA farm lots (Finca El Angel and La Siberia) direct-to-consumer in Canada, bypassing traditional export intermediaries. Products include El Angel Pacamara Washed (21 USD/300 g — their highest priced single-origin), Siberia Red Bourbon Natural (18 USD/300 g), alongside Central American blends. Pickup is available at Local Rotisserie, London ON. (source: Screaming Goose Coffee (website))
Local Brand — Entre Cerros
Entre Cerros is SICAFESA’s retail roasted coffee brand launched in 2007 for the Salvadoran market. Now also sold internationally.
Export Markets
Americas: USA, Guatemala, El Salvador, Argentina. Asia: Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, China. Europe: Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, England, Germany, Switzerland. Oceania: Australia.
Germany and Switzerland overlap with Kaiserblick’s primary export targets.
Community Support
Beyond their own farms, SICAFESA actively supports the 25+ producers they work with across El Salvador. After three large storms (~2022) caused a medical facility to collapse in a producer community, SICAFESA provided the lumber to rebuild it. (source: U3 Coffee Interview — Carmen and Rafael Silva)
Rafael Jr. articulates a clear view of structural risk in the industry: “The producer has 100% of the risk in the value chain.” Both he and Carmen advocate for systems that better distribute supply chain risk among producers, traders, and roasters.
Sustainability Practices
- Vermicomposting: coffee cherry pulp feeds earthworms; worm castings applied as organic soil fertilizer; liquid worm waste collected and applied as foliar fertilizer. See Organic Farming.
- Coffee husk fuel: dried husk from dry mill burned as fuel for mechanical driers — 40% less polluting than firewood.
- Eco-friendly beneficio award (2017): Beneficio San Pedro was officially recognized as the most eco-friendly beneficio in El Salvador. (source: PRF Article — Sicafe as STE Host Sponsor)
- Enzyme wastewater treatment: enzymes added to mill wastewater to purify nitrogen-rich residues.
- Community water access: free water supply to neighboring communities.
- Employment: ~450 workers during harvest and processing season.
Contact
Address: 8a C. Ote. Ant. Calle a San Pedro Puxtla, Barrio San Pedro, Apaneca, Ahuachapán, El Salvador
Email: info@sicafesa.com
Tel: +(503)2455-6017