1. An Unexpected Coffee Gem
That first sip sang unmistakable potential - rich dark chocolate melting over the tongue, then a burst of ripe fruit and citrus sparkling across the palate. Sergio Ticas stood at dawn considering the sleepy valleys of Chalatenango, El Salvador as he drank from his favorite mug branded "Los Planes." His family's modest farm that shared that name produced these precious beans he relished. But who else recognized this humble coffee’s buried treasure?
Beyond Sergio’s mug, Los Planes beans remained obscure outside Chalatenango in the early 1990s, the farm simply one hopeful producer on the specialty coffee scene. No one predicted then how this coffee would captivate judges years later at the distinguished Cup of Excellence. How Sergio’s Los Planes would claim 2nd place against elite entrants, launching an artisanal coffee renaissance in El Salvador. Let's learn more about Los Planes coffee.
2. Origin Story: Dedication to Quality
Humble Beginnings
In the early 1990s, Sergio and Isabel Ticas established Finca Los Planes, driven by a vision to grow superb coffee through sustainable practices. At the time, their mountainous Chalatenango area had no reputation for distinguished coffee. However, the Ticas family felt the environment and altitude showed tremendous potential to cultivate distinctive beans. They persevered even through civil war turbulence, intent on revealing Los Planes exceptionality. That persistence despite regional obscurity and national unrest demonstrated the Ticas family's extraordinary passion and commitment from the start.
Perfect Coffee Growing Conditions
Los Planes benefits from the unique terroir of Chalatenango, with nutrient-rich volcanic soil, ideal rainfall and sunlight patterns, and an elevation over 5,500 ft enabling complex bean flavor development. The Ticas' dedication to quality through meticulous crop care and processing ensures those intrinsically vibrant beans reach their fullest potential. Their farm in particular boasts some of the oldest and most refined coffee plants in the region, imparting exceptional complexity to the beans.
3. The Pacamara Varietal: A Hybrid Hero
Origins of The Cross-Breed Bean
The Ticas family specially cultivates the proprietary Pacamara coffee varietal, first developed in the 1950s by Salvadoran agronomists. They crossed the immense Maragogype varietal with the compact, flavorful Pacas strain seeking to merge the best attributes of both. The resulting Pacamara thrives in Los Planes' elevated terrain and imparts a distinctly sweet, smooth, and vibrantly floral flavor. While the creation of the Pacamara varietal was the result of dedicated efforts by Salvadoran coffee researchers, Los Planes has become a flagship producer, demonstrating the varietal's extraordinary potential through their award-winning coffee.
Pacamara's Claim to Coffee Fame
Pacamara's hitting the specialty coffee scene, particularly as cultivated by Los Planes, blew tasters away with its luscious depth and citrusy brightness. The varietal gained immediate prestige and still appears at top coffee auctions. Roasters now request 'Pacamara' by name from El Salvador eager for its heavy syrupy body enveloping crisp fruit impressions. Los Planes Pacamara especially showcases intense yet balanced acidity compared to examples from other farms.
4. Coffee Culture: Source of National Pride
Coffee Integral to Salvadoran Life
In El Salvador, coffee permeates everyday life and culture as an economic pillar. The success of Los Planes shows coffee as a positive change agent - increasing global prestige plus lifting local communities through job creation. Finca Los Planes uses profits to fund infrastructure improvements like school construction in the Chalatenango region. They also provide technical assistance helping neighboring farms improve their coffee quality.
Rise From Obscurity to Fame
Los Planes 2nd place Cup of Excellence finish in 2006 helped the coffee go from localized obscurity to the global specialty stage almost overnight. Their accomplishment demonstrated the previously untapped potential of the Chalatenango area to produce world-class beans through expertise and sustainable processes. It also showed that with dedication, even small family farms can achieve prestigious acclaim.
5. Brewing Los Planes: Flavor Discovery
Tasting Profile: Sweet Cocoa and Exotic Fruits
Sip Los Planes black and straight away its Pacamara influence dazzles as syrupy melted bittersweet chocolate. Then a lift of mixed berry fruits - hints of orange, blackcurrant, and lemon zest playing over a heavier, velvety base. Balanced acidity ties it together elegantly. Allowing it to cool slightly enables individual flavor notes to emerge more distinctly.
Ideal Brewing Methods: French Press and Pour Over
The heftier body and texture of Los Planes make the French press an ideal brewing choice. A medium coarse grind followed by four-minute steep teases out chocolate decadence. Fans of crisp clarity will also enjoy pour-over preparation, drawing out vibrant citrus notes. Pulling a ristretto shot also concentrates sugars for intense sweetness.
6. Sustainable Initiative to Restore Chalatenango
Water Conservation Systems
Finca Los Planes recently implemented a state-of-the-art water recovery system enabling efficient use plus ecosystem restoration. The Ticas family strongly believes in interdependent harmony with the local ecology to ensure future generations enjoy Los Planes superior beans. Their initiative provides a model for area farms to integrate sustainability into operations.
Ongoing Reforestation Efforts
The Ticas also actively reforest native trees to attract birds and bees essential for pollination and pest control. Their sustainable approach earned Los Planes the prestigious Rainforest Alliance certification - proving environmentally sound coffee production maximizes quality. Management plans future solar energy adoption to further reduce environmental impacts.
7. The Future: Innovation To Thrive
As consumer palates grow more discerning, Los Planes remains vigilant to meet evolving demands while preserving core strengths. Their team continually experiments with processing advancements to polish flavors and maintain reputation despite challenges like climate shifts. But Finca Los Planes still cherishes traditional techniques refined over generations. This artful balance of innovation with heritage ensures Los Planes remains influential in the future. The Ticas family also works to interest youth in coffee as a profession to pass knowledge to the next generations.
8. Epilogue: A Timeless Coffee Treasure
The Ticas family's Los Planes coffee embodies a heritage of passion passed patiently across generations in remote El Salvador mountains. Their triumph over obscurity to acclaim followed years of perfecting sustainable methods showcasing distinctive Chalatenango terroir through the exceptional Pacamara bean. Los Planes demonstrates that dedication and expertise can transform humble coffee into a culturally cherished experience bringing joy and opportunity around the world. That priceless legacy promises to fascinate coffee devotees for generations onward. As the next epoch of coffee evolution unfolds, Finca Los Planes will likely continue leading the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What makes Los Planes coffee unique?
Los Planes coffee is treasured for its exceptional Pacamara varietal beans cultivated in the remote Chalatenango region of El Salvador. Its rare balance of velvety body, crisp fruit acidity, and bittersweet finish comes from generations of perfecting sustainable practices showcasing the area's unique terroir.
Why is Los Planes coffee expensive?
As one of the world's most sought-after beans, Los Planes extreme rarity from very limited harvests enables premium pricing. Producing the intricate flavors also involves meticulous crop care, selective harvesting, and customized processing - all cost-intensive factors that translate to higher prices.
What flavors distinguish Los Planes coffee?
Los Planes showcases intense yet balanced notes of rich bittersweet chocolate, baked cherry and berries, citrus fruits, caramel sweetness, and a smooth, syrupy body - all hallmarks of the prized Pacamara bean when optimally cultivated.
How should you brew Los Planes coffee?
The velvety body and multifaceted flavors of Los Planes coffee shine when brewed using a French press or pour-over preparation. The French Press teases out luscious chocolate richness, while the pour over highlights refreshing fruit acidity. Fans also enjoy it pulled as espresso or prepared cold brew style.