Origin

Calvas Canton of Loja Province, Ecuador

Coffee cultivation in Calvas Canton, situated in the southern highlands of Loja Province, Ecuador, has become an integral part of the region’s agricultural identity. Although coffee was introduced to Ecuador in the 19th century, its expansion into highland regions like Calvas gained momentum in the mid-20th century, as smallholder and migrant farming families sought fertile soils and stable income. The canton’s varied elevations, from 1,000 to nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, along with its temperate-dry climate and volcanic soils, provide ideal conditions for high-quality Arabica cultivation.

Initially, traditional low-yielding varieties such as Typica and Bourbon were planted, often intercropped with subsistence crops. Over time, modern agronomic practices and technical support, facilitated by cooperatives and government programs, improved productivity and processing standards. By the early 2000s, Calvas began gaining recognition in Ecuador’s specialty coffee sector, with producers adopting selective harvesting, washed processing, and high-potential varieties like Sidra.

The region’s coffees, celebrated for their balance, floral aromatics, and clean sweetness, have performed well in national competitions like the Taza Dorada (Golden Cup), enhancing Calvas’s reputation both domestically and internationally. Today, coffee remains a generational livelihood for many families in Calvas, blending tradition, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to quality-driven production.