Overview

For more than five generations the Finca Himalaya family has worked to solidify an excellent reputation for producing superior coffee. Toiling through the cultural tumult of the 1980's, through the mark of war and the nationalization of coffee, the Finca Himalaya tradition has continued and their dedication to great coffee maintained. In 2003 Himalaya won sixth place in the internationally-recognized Cup of Excellence competition. In 2004, Himalaya was again recognized by the international coffee community by winning the silver medal in France.

The family dedication to quality has also extended to the other farms, with Pretoria III winning the Cup of Excellence in 2004 and Santa Maria winning in 2006. Upon winning for the second time, Himalaya confirmed the excellent quality of the coffee produced. This quality is assured through a strict process of control and through on-site integration of all stages of coffee production, including producing, milling and exporting coffee.

2006 will always be remembered as a tragic year for the family due to the death of Mr. Alex Alfonso Salaverría Lagos. Alex Alfonso had managed the earnings of the business. His wife and widow, Mrs. Sonia Castaneda de Salaverría who had always accompanied him and participated in all of the activities related to the upkeep of the farm has dedicated herself to continuing the family business in his honor.

Himalaya exists in harmony with its surrounding environment; the farm makes an effort to dispose of solid waste and control the sediment in the soil. Waste products of the milling process are recycled and used to fertilize the coffee plants. More than 75 families work on Himalaya in the farms and the mill and Sonia feels a special relation with them knowing that without their hard work, Himalaya wouldn’t have been able to count itself as a winner of the Cup of Excellence.

As a repeated winner of the Cup of Excellence Finca Himalaya is able to position itself as a producer of high quality coffee, as well as represent farms of El Salvador on a global stage. This in turn will allow for a more direct and trusting relationship to emerge between the farm and international coffee buyers.

The future holds many promises as Finca Himalaya will continue to work toward sustaining the bean quality, increasing farm productivity, and seeking a better value for its coffee.

Other Statistics:
Coffee varieties: Bourbón & Pacas
Type of Shade: Pepeto, Pine, cypress and other native trees
Average Annual Rainfall: 2,500 mm
Average Temperature: 18º C
Type of Soil: Clay loam
Annual Production: (60kg) 530 bags
Mill and company where lot was process: Los Cerritos Mill, Himalaya S.A. de C.V.
Fauna: Opussum, squirl, Rabbit, agouti, oriole, etc.

GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 13º 52’ 6.22’’
Longitude: W 89º 49’ 3.98’’