Before 2010, Saraguro, a canton (county) in southern Ecuador’s Loja province, was better known for cattle production and subsistence crops like corn than coffee. However, the success of a few pioneering coffee producers sparked a shift, and Abel Salinas was among the new generation of farmers who saw the region's untapped potential for high-quality coffee. He planted his farm in 2015, focusing on the best cultivation and processing practices to unlock the true potential of his land.
Abel succeeded. After his first full harvest in 2019, he placed first in the Best of Loja cupping competition. One of our coffee buyers, serving as a juror at the event, tasted and purchased a small quantity of his phenomenal coffee, and we've worked together ever since. In 2021, Abel made headlines by winning Ecuador’s first Cup of Excellence! Since his historic win, competition to buy Abel’s coffee has been fierce, but we are still fortunate to receive some of his best lots each season.
