Coffee has been grown commercially in El Salvador since the 1850s – it was an important export for the country following the decline of the indigo industry and quickly became the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer. Yields were high and there were good relationships with import partners which meant El Salvador built a reputation for its efficiency and quality coffee. The coffee industry contributed towards some of the country’s most important infrastructure, though it also assisted in widening the gap between the nation’s rich and poor, with landowners maintaining political and economic control.

The industry continued to thrive throughout the 20th century until civil war hit in the 1980s which forced many farmers to abandon their land and coffee trees in order to escape the conflict. Whilst this saw a dramatic fall in production, causing many buyers to look elsewhere, the country managed to retain its fantastic Bourbon trees bringing superior quality in the cup and cementing the country’s reputation for high quality. Around ninety per cent of El Salvador’s coffee is also shade grown which contributes towards fantastic character and complexity and helps to maintain the country’s vast array of plants and wildlife.

El Salvador is a land of volcanoes providing a stunning and dramatic backdrop, fantastic altitude and mineral rich volcanic soil – the perfect combination for the production of outstanding coffee. Traditionally, it is thought the country’s best coffee comes from the West and the Santa Ana region which sits amongst the Apaneca-Ilamatepec  mountain range. We, however, believe the northern region of Chaletenango offers some incredible opportunities when it comes to quality and the chance to build long term partnerships with smaller scale growers