Ask Solvers

El Salvador may be the smallest country in the Western hemisphere but coffee from El Salvador makes a big impression in world markets! Why is that?

Coffee in El Salvador grows in rich volcanic soil in highlands with altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 4,500 feet. 100% of the coffee grown in this country is 100% shade grown which means it is as environmentally friendly as it comes. There are more than 11 million shade trees of different varieties that provide shelter to more than 630 million coffee plants. In addition, this coffee habitat is home to a very large number of endangered wildlife species and migrating birds.

Another unique characteristic of coffee from El Salvador is how different the beans can be from one coffee plant to another that is just a few miles away. A variety of coffee flavors is great news to coffee lovers and provides true joy in coffee drinking. Or, as they say in Spanish, “alegría en el café!”

There are many coffee farms in this region where varietals grow. For example, Bourbon Cultivar, Tekisic or Salvadoran Bourbon, Pacas, Pacamara, and Maragogype, among others. Walking through the coffee farms is a great way to “smell and feel the coffee!”

There are tall coffee plants with long branches, open architecture and very deep berries. There are short coffee plants with long branches, a lovely contrast from one farm to the next. Pacas, for example, is a short tree that has an excellent tolerance for wind, sun and drought. The Maragogype cultivar is a very large variety of Arabica coffee that some people call the ‘elephant bean’ or ‘giant bean’ because it is so large. Not many coffee growing countries offer visitors the opportunity to see so many coffee varieties within a relatively short distance from one another.

Okay, coffee trees are great but where do you savor the great beans? In Alegría, El Salvador.

This is an exceptionally beautiful small town located at an altitude of about 3,937 feet above the sea level in the Usulután department. What makes Alegría a joy to visit is its cleanliness, beautiful landscaping everywhere, great coffee and very hospitable people. Nearly everywhere the town displays flowers in bloom such as birds of paradise, anthuriums, orchids, bromeliads, roses, sun flowers and many more whose names go from A to Z. There are many thriving local plant nurseries, a main source of employment and economic growth for this region.

The town is also famous for a volcanic lake called Alegría Laguna. This is a crater lake with yellow-greenish waters rich in sulfur, thermal waters and fumaroles. Fumaroles are vents through which volcanic gases and water vapors escape to the surface, adding unforgettable natural “special effects” to the scenery. At night, the lake waters reflect the moonlight and passing clouds creating, from the distance, an almost magical contrast of color displays. A local legend, passed from one generation to the next, tells the story of a siren or mermaid who lives in the lake and entices men to get in the water where she ends their lives.

Alegría is a town with active commerce and plenty of activities for everyone. In and around town there are many sightseeing opportunities including great hiking trails. The town’s main plaza comes alive with local people and visitors strolling along the streets. Vendors abound selling souvenirs, music, sweets, and magazines. The gazebo in the plaza is a magnet for attractively attired young couples “hanging out” and filling the air with their laughter, chatting and singing. Street artists entertain the crowds with their songs, poems or impromptu acts.

Local restaurants feature delicacies such as “pupusas,” chicken, beef, rice, corn, fresh fruit, desserts, and vegetables. “Pupusas” are a very popular food. They are corn biscuit-like flat breads stuffed with a soft cheese called Quesillo. It is very impressive how neat the town is. The residents are very conscientious about placing any garbage in waste baskets painted with creative designs that are well positioned throughout the plaza and main streets. The local community understands the importance of tourism to their economy and unites to make Alegría a safe, relaxed and favorite travel destination.

So, thinking about visiting Alegría some day? In the meantime, go ahead, drink a delicious cup of Salvador High Grown Organic Coffee!