Santa Josefita is located in Ataco, Ahuachapán. Established as a coffee plantation around 1940’s, Santa Josefita has continuously been producing excellent quality coffee. The high altitude from 3,900 to 4,500 feet of the farm, part of the Apaneca -Ilamatepec Mountain Range influence its particular cup and grain characteristics, well knows in El Salvador. Water springs, dark volcanic soil, and it’s cool and fresh subtropical climate gave Sta Josefita its own particular taste.
Santa Josefita is owned and operated by Ipala S.A. ( Lima family ). Most of the property is planted with coffee varieties like Bourbon, Pacamara, Kenya, among others that are still undergoing testing. Production process is managed in a traditional way; coffee is grown under just the right amount of shade trees, especially those from the Inga family. The many other varieties of shade trees planted in the farm, makes of Santa Josefita a very eco-friendly property. Santa Josefita has been certified by Rainforest Alliance, which observes the economic, social and environmental aspects of coffee production. The farm conserves a natural rain forest, which is hundreds of years old and which serves as habitat for innumerable animal species.
Santa Josefita has an annual rainfall of 2,000 to 2, 500 mm, relative humidity ranging from 70% and temperatures from around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil type in Santa Josefita is volcanic, franc/clay, extremely well drained and with a very high organic matter contents.
Since there is plenty of water in this area, reforestation is continuous ( around 20,000 new trees planted each year ) with native varieties such as walnut, belloto, pimiento, funera.