88.97
Overview
The El Optimismo coffee plantation is located in the Sierra Tecapa-Chinameca in the Canton San Juan in the City of Alegria which is situated in the Province of Usulutan in the Eastern part of the country. It is situated at an altitude of 1,550 metres above sea-level with an approximate area of 67.2 acres. From different locations across the plantation, the Alegria lagoon, the river Lempa and the Bay of Jiquilisco can all clearly be seen.
Tell us the story of your Farm:
El Optimismo belongs to the Zepeda Family which originate from Santiago de Maria in El Salvador , and who during the 1970s cultivated the Bourbón and Pacas coffees nearly in their entirety. The plantation has environmentally protected areas, tree felling within the plantation is prohibited, and there is also a great variety of vegetation to be found there such as pines, oaks, conacastes, pepetos, guayabos, etc. Within the fauna you can also find different types of deer, owls, toucans, doves, pigeons, chickens, woodpeckers, etc.
Due to the armed conflict during the 1980´s it was not possible to put the full amount of effort into cultivating the plantation, and 28.56 acres of land were left uncultivated and turned fallow; but since eight years ago with the technical help of the UNEX company, it has been possible to implement an annual work plan, which has been able to be constantly supervised on the plantation, allowing the different stages of coffee growing to be realised at the most opportune moment.
What is your secret for winning the competition?
1) Soil properties, terrain altitude and quality of coffee.
2) Constantly work the farm3) Make the coffee harvest in the right point of ripeness.
How do you feel to be a winner?
Firstable we are grateful with God and proud to produced one of the most excellent coffees in El Salvador . The El Optimismo coffee plantation has participated for the fifth time in the international Cup of Excellence competition, and each time has been amongst the winners in different categories, a fact which confirms the excellent quality of the coffee which is produced, and which is a source of great pride for the Zepeda Family and for our country El Salvador . That´s why we feel a huge commitment to continue working and improving our production every year.
What do you think of the Cup of Excellence?
For the producers it´s a huge support, we think it´s a great process to give to know our coffee national and international also it helps to increase producers economy.
| Rank | 4 |
|---|---|
| Farm Name | El Optimismo |
| Farmer/Rep. | Lucia Martinez De Zepeda |
| Altitude | 1500 masl |
| Country | El Salvador |
| Year | 2012 |
| Size (30kg boxes) | 39 |
| City | Alegria |
| Region | Usulutan |
| Program | El Salvador 2012 |
| Month | - |
| Aroma/Flavor | top ten, lemongrass berries, plum hibiscus, rose, jasmine |
| Acidity | effervescent, complex, bright, clear |
| Other | well structured, minty refreshing finish, complex, transparent, very clean |
| Variety | Bourbón |
| Coffee Growing Area | 16.20 hectares |
| Farm Size | 22.85 hectares |
| Auction Lot Size (lbs.) | 2579.39 |
| High bid | 15.10 |
| Total value | 38948.79 |
| High bidders | TERAROSA (Hanksan Co.Ltd), Rawbean Coffee Academy and Beanybeans & Beany Roasters |