El Salvador Los Pirineos

Finca Los Pirineos has produced “Cup of Excellence” coffees no less than eight times, four of which were ranked among the top ten. It is one of the best-known farms in El Salvador because it was one of the first to focus coffee production on the specialty coffee market. Gilberto Baraona, who died in 2020, was one of the pioneers in the modernization of farms. Today his son Diego Baraona is the one who runs the farm and shares the same passion that his father had for coffee.

Cafés el Magnífico maintains a special relationship with this farm because Salvador Sans was a great friend of Gilberto and they coincided in the Cup of Excellence. In turn, Claudia Sans in 2023 was able to have the great opportunity to travel to El Salvador and visit Diego’s farm. The processes are meticulous, the varieties are very well cared for and the quality control process in tasting is excellent. As well as, Diego is one of the best hosts anyone could ask for, Claudia confirms.

In the Pyrenees there are around 20 varieties of coffee in production, including Rume Sudan, SL-28, Batian and Gesha, although Pacamara and Bourbon are the staple coffees representing approximately 80% of farm volume. Along with the 20 varieties in production on the farm, Los Pirineos also maintains its own coffee variety garden and nursery containing approximately 70 different varieties of coffees. This work with varieties was a passion for Diego’s father that he continues eagerly.

The cherry is picked at its optimal point of ripeness. Once picked, they are taken to the pulpers to remove the skin and pulp from the cherry. Next, the grain with the mucilage attached is placed on elevated stretchers for 25 days. Finally, it is taken to the threshers to remove any impurities.