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Overview
Los Pirineos is located at 1480 meters above sea
level, on top of the Tecapa Volcano, a volcanic mountain range in the
Department of Usulután. The name of Los Pirineos was given because of
the similarity to the mountains of the Pyrenees in Europe, which
separates France and Spain. The farm Los Pirineos also separates two
towns, Berlin and Santiago de Maria. The cultivation of the coffee farm
started in 1890 according to some accounts of the family, the original
typical plants and shade trees called Gravileos were imported from
Antigua Guatemala. The farm has been owned by the family for over 100
years and it has always been cultured under traditional shade.
Currently 10% of the plantation belongs to the Typica
variety, 83% is Bourbon, 4% Pacas and 3% of Pacamara. Los Pirineos farm
is Rainforest Alliance certified, the first farm in El Salvador
obtaining this certification. This farm also holds a high score on one
of Starbucks preference programs. Los Pirineos, has always been
recognized by exporters, buyers and national and international cuppers
as producer of one of the best coffees from the east side of the
country. Most of the current production is sold to the Asian Gourmet
Market. In the year 2007, Los Pirineos got 10th place globally, at the
Rainforest Alliance coffee competition, in Long Beach, California, with
a score of 86.33, above the average of the country participating farms,
and also above the average of 5 more origin countries.
This coffee is processed at the wet mill on the farm,
slowly sun dried until just before reaching the final stage when it is
placed in a “Guardiola” mechanical dryer to fine tune the right humidity
level. The awarded coffee is a Pacamara variety. The original seeds
planted were from the early selections released in the country in the
beginning of the 90’s. The characteristics of this coffee in particular
can be described as exotic and unique. At the prevailing altitude it is
very difficult to have enough coffee ripen before March, as the Pacamara
is slow ripening. Once perfectly ripe these coffees boast tremendous
sweetness and chocolate flavors.
One of the factors behind producing an exemplary
class coffee is the fact that the seeds used to establish the nurseries
come from selected beans from the same farm. In addition, this farm
enjoys ideal climatic conditions, such as altitude, temperature,
rainfall, and great volcanic soil. A wide range of Flora and Fauna is
found within the farm, where endangered species such as deer seek
refuge, this is due to environmentally sensitive cultural practices
followed. Los Pirineos employs more than 30 people on a permanent basis,
whom receive a salary higher than that established by minimum wage law.
The current manager Mr. Luis Gutierrez grew up in the farm, and is the
son of the former manager who worked with the family for over 50 years.
Part of the profits from the coffee sales, are going
to be used to equip the farm with computers for students from the Cerro
Verde school, which is going to be located near the farm very soon.
Additional information:
Coffee varieties: Bourbón, Pacamara
Type of Shade: Ingas sp. Cuje, Pepeto, Orange and Lime Trees, etc.
Average Annual Rainfall: 2,200 mm
Average Temperature: 16-18º C
Type of Soil: Sandy loam
Annual Production: (60kg) 230 bags
Mill and company where lot was process: Los Pirineos
Other crops: Avocado, Lime, Orange Fauna: Deer, Armadillos, Cotuza or
Central American Agouti, Tacuazin, Eagle, Snakes, Birds: Torogoz,
Sparrow hawk. Etc.
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: 13°28’55.5” N
Longitude: 88° 31’ 14.8” W
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