Blog

We're revamping our company-wide bakery program! We've built a brand new Tempe bakery, a developed a whole new globally-inspired menu, and exciting new specials!

El Carmen lies in the heart of El Salvador’s main ‘protected highway’ of forest, a part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor System that stretches all the way from Mexico down to Panama. In El Salvador, where more than 80% of the country’s coffee is produced under shade, this eco-system is based mainly in the coffee forest.

There's been a lot of hype on Geshas lately and often times, the price and value of this heirloom variety just doesn’t add up. But when famed producer Ricardo Zelaya tells you that he's set aside a hectare of his estate for an experimental Malawi Gesha, you pay attention. We’ve worked with Zelaya in the past and his coffees have consistently delivered, which is why we’ve continued our relationship.

Last year, Cartel decided to do something a little different than free coffee for customers on National Coffee Day. We thought it would be cool to reach out to the people on the other side of the coffee story. I started brainstorming ideas (and sending lots of emails) to see what that might look like.

You can’t make great coffee without good water. What makes water good? Well there are actually a couple of things to consider. I won't get too technical here, but I really want you to understand some of the basics that can help you feel empowered to make your best cup each day.

San Diego? Nope. El Salvador. Its ok if you don't get the joke. But that is where in the world this Carmen is—at least, where it is from. Apaneca Ilamatepec, El Salvador to be exact.