What does SL-28 mean?

SL-28 refers to a coffee variety first selected by Scott Agricultural Laboratories in Kenya during the 1930s. The designation comes from the lab's initials and the selection number. It is known for producing complex, fruit-forward coffees with high acidity.

Is this coffee roasted already?

Yes, the beans are roasted and ready to grind and brew. The roast level is calibrated to preserve the variety's natural brightness and fruit character.

Can I use this for espresso?

You can, but the high acidity requires careful dial-in. If the shot pulls too quickly, the citrus notes can become sharp. It performs better in manual filter methods like pour-over or Aeropress.

How is this different from a coffee blend?

This is a single-variety lot, meaning all the beans come from the same cultivar rather than being blended with other varieties. That isolation lets you taste the specific character of SL-28 without the smoothing effect of mixing.

What grind size should I use?

Medium-fine works well for most filter brewing methods. Adjust finer for slower drip or coarser if extraction is taking too long. Grind fresh just before brewing to preserve the aromatic compounds.

Finca El Puente SL-28 Variety

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fair trade

The 3-second version

SL-28 cultivar originally selected in Kenya, now grown in southern Honduras
Green apple sweetness paired with bright lime acidity
Single-variety lot from Finca El Puente's acclaimed producers
High acidity may taste sour if over-extracted
Milk or sugar masks the varietal character
Espresso requires careful dialing in

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Single-Variety Coffee from a Kenyan Legend Grown in Honduras

Most single-origin coffee is blended from multiple varieties grown on the same farm, which smooths out extremes but also mutes individual character. A true single-variety lot like this one isolates what one cultivar can do when it is grown with intent. SL-28 earned its reputation for a reason: the acidity is high but structured, the sweetness is present without heaviness, and the finish is quick enough that each sip resets your palate. That combination is difficult to achieve through blending. This matters if you are the kind of person who brews different coffees to notice how they differ, rather than seeking the same comforting cup every morning.

Good gift when

People who brew pour-over or manual methods and want to taste varietal character
Coffee drinkers who prefer bright, fruit-forward profiles over chocolatey or nutty ones
Those curious about how renowned cultivars express themselves in new regions
Black coffee enthusiasts who notice acidity and sweetness over body

Skip it if If you prefer low-acidity, smooth, or chocolatey coffee, this bright and citrus-driven profile will taste too sharp or sour for your palate.

Specs

Weight: 12 oz
Variety: SL-28
Origin: Finca El Puente, Honduras
Producers: Marysabel Caballero and Moisés Herrera
Form: Whole bean

What's included

12 oz whole bean coffee

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess

Coffee stays freshest for two to four weeks after roasting, so check the recipient's consumption rate before buying.

The maker

Marysabel Caballero and Moisés Herrera have built Finca El Puente into one of Honduras's most respected coffee farms through years of experimentation with processing methods and careful selection of which varieties to plant. Their decision to cultivate SL-28—a variety that thrives in East Africa but remains rare in Central America—demonstrates their willingness to grow what is challenging rather than what is easy.

The SL-28 variety carries Bourbon genetics but was selected specifically for its ability to produce complex flavors even under difficult conditions. At Finca El Puente, the combination of altitude, climate, and the farm's processing expertise allows the variety to develop the same bright, layered profile that made it famous in Kenya, but with a sweetness that reflects Honduran terroir. The result is a coffee that tastes both familiar to those who know East African profiles and distinct enough to justify its own reputation.

The details

This twelve-ounce bag contains beans from one of the most celebrated cultivars in specialty coffee, grown at a farm that has earned international acclaim for meticulous processing and varietal experimentation. The SL-28 cultivar was first identified in Kenya during the 1930s by Scott Agricultural Laboratories, selected from a single tree found in Tanzania. It became synonymous with the bright, layered profiles that made East African coffee famous.

Finca El Puente sits in southern Honduras, where husband-and-wife producers Marysabel Caballero and Moisés Herrera have spent years refining their approach to cultivation and fermentation. Their work with this particular variety demonstrates how terroir and care can translate a cultivar's potential into a finished cup. The genetic lineage traces back to Bourbon, but the expression here is distinct: green apple sweetness arrives first, followed by lime acidity that lifts the entire profile, finishing with clarity rather than lingering fruit.

The bag holds whole beans ready for grinding. Because this is a single-variety lot rather than a blend, the character remains consistent throughout. You will taste the same bright acidity and fruit-forward sweetness whether you brew the first cup or the last. The roast level is calibrated to preserve the cultivar's natural brightness without tipping into sourness, a balance that matters more with high-acidity varieties than with mellower origins.

This coffee suits manual brewing methods that allow control over extraction. Pour-over, Aeropress, and similar techniques let you adjust timing and temperature to bring out either the apple sweetness or the citrus edge depending on your preference. Espresso is possible but demands attention; the acidity can dominate if the shot pulls too fast. Medium-fine grind works for most filter methods. If you typically add milk or sugar, much of what makes this lot distinctive will be masked, so consider brewing it black at least once to understand what you are working with.

Counter Culture

Finca El Puente SL-28 Variety

Marysabel Caballero and Moisés Herrera cultivate a storied East African cultivar at their renowned farm

$29at counterculturecoffee.com

Quantity

Ships and sold by Counter Culture. About this merchant

The 3-second version

SL-28 cultivar originally selected in Kenya, now grown in southern Honduras
Green apple sweetness paired with bright lime acidity
Single-variety lot from Finca El Puente's acclaimed producers
High acidity may taste sour if over-extracted
Milk or sugar masks the varietal character
Espresso requires careful dialing in

Cheaper alternatives

Questions

What does SL-28 mean?: SL-28 refers to a coffee variety first selected by Scott Agricultural Laboratories in Kenya during the 1930s. The designation comes from the lab's initials and the selection number. It is known for producing complex, fruit-forward coffees with high acidity.
Is this coffee roasted already?: Yes, the beans are roasted and ready to grind and brew. The roast level is calibrated to preserve the variety's natural brightness and fruit character.
Can I use this for espresso?: You can, but the high acidity requires careful dial-in. If the shot pulls too quickly, the citrus notes can become sharp. It performs better in manual filter methods like pour-over or Aeropress.
How is this different from a coffee blend?: This is a single-variety lot, meaning all the beans come from the same cultivar rather than being blended with other varieties. That isolation lets you taste the specific character of SL-28 without the smoothing effect of mixing.
What grind size should I use?: Medium-fine works well for most filter brewing methods. Adjust finer for slower drip or coarser if extraction is taking too long. Grind fresh just before brewing to preserve the aromatic compounds.