Origin

Berlin, Usulután, El Salvador

Coffee cultivation in Usulután, especially around the Tecapa-Chinameca mountain range, holds significant historical importance, reflecting the growth of El Salvador’s coffee industry. Introduced in the mid-19th century, the region's volcanic slopes and moderate altitudes proved ideal for Arabica cultivation. By the 1880s, coffee had become El Salvador’s primary export, with Usulután emerging as a key high-quality zone. Wealthy families established estates on the fertile volcanic soils, planting traditional varieties like Bourbon and Typica. Throughout the 20th century, Usulután's coffee production thrived, aided by its nutrient-rich volcanic ash and Pacific breezes. Despite challenges during the 1980s civil conflict, coffee remained vital to the local economy, upheld by generational families preserving traditional methods. In the 1990s and 2000s, a new wave of producers, led by innovators like the late Gilberto Baraona of Los Pirineos, revitalized the region through specialty practices, microlot separation, and experimental processes, cementing Usulután’s status as a respected Central American coffee origin.