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

Coffee in El Salvador grows on 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, meaning it’s as organic as it gets. There are more than 11 million shade trees of different varieties that provide shelter for more than 630 million coffee plants. In addition, this coffee habitat is home to a large number of endangered wildlife species and migratory birds.

Another unique characteristic of coffee from El Salvador is how different the beans can be from one coffee plant to another just a few kilometers away. A variety of coffee flavors is great news for coffee lovers and brings real joy in drinking coffee. Or, as they say in Spanish, “joy in coffee!”

There are many coffee farms in this region where varieties are grown. For example, Bourbon Cultivar, Tekisic or Bourbon Salvadoreño, Pacas, Pacamara, 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 beautiful contrast from farm to farm. Pacas, for example, is a short tree that has excellent tolerance to 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-producing countries offer visitors the opportunity to see so many varieties of coffee within a relatively short distance of each other.

Granted, coffee trees are great, but where do you taste the great beans? In Alegria, El Salvador.

This is a exceptionally beautiful little town located at an altitude of approximately 3,937 feet above sea level in the department of Usulutan. What makes Alegria a joy to visit is its cleanliness, beautiful scenery everywhere, great coffee, and very hospitable people. Almost everywhere, the city displays flowers in bloom, such as birds of paradise, anthuriums, orchids, bromeliads, roses, sunflowers and many more, whose names range from A to Z. There are many thriving local plant nurseries, a main source of employment and economy. growth for this region.

The city is also famous for a volcanic lake called Joy Lagoon. This is a crater lake with greenish-yellow waters rich in sulfur, hot springs, and fumaroles. Fumaroles are vents through which volcanic gases and water vapors escape to the surface, adding unforgettable natural “special effects” to the landscape. At night, the waters of the lake reflect the light of the moon and passing clouds creating, from a distance, an almost magical contrast of colors. A local legend, passed down from generation to generation, tells the story of a siren or siren who lives in the lake and lures men into the water where she ends their lives.

Alegría is a town with active commerce and many activities for everyone. In and around the city there are many opportunities for sightseeing, including excellent hiking trails. The town’s main square comes alive with local people and visitors strolling the streets. Vendors selling souvenirs, music, sweets and magazines abound. The plaza’s gazebo is a magnet for attractively attracted young couples who “hang out” and fill the air with their laughter, chatter and song. Street performers entertain the crowds with their songs, poems, or improvised acts.

Local restaurants offer delicacies like “pupusas“chicken, beef, rice, corn, fresh fruit, desserts, and vegetables.”pupusas“are a very popular food. They are flatbreads like corn crackers stuffed with a soft cheese called Quesillo. It is very impressive how clean the town is. Residents are very conscientious about putting garbage in bins painted with creative designs which is fine located along the plaza and main streets.The local community understands the importance of tourism to its economy and drives to make Alegría a safe, relaxed and favorite travel destination.

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