Region
El Bálsamo Quetzaltepec
Cordillera El Bálsamo Quetzaltepec is one of the six coffee growing regions recognized by the Coffee Council of El Salvador (Consejo Salvadoreño de Café). Coffees grown here are known for big body and medium acidity. Cordillera El Balsamo includes the departments of La Libertad, San Salvador, and some municipalities of Sonsonate. 25% of El Salvador’s total coffee production is planted in the Cordillera El Balsamo region.
The Cordillera El Bálsamo mountain range runs through the cities of San Julián, Santa Isabel Ishuatán, Colón, Comasagua, Jayaque, Tepecoyo, Talnique, and among others). Quezaltepec is another name for the San Salvador Volcano, whose crater is known as El Boquerón and sits at 1819 masl. Quetzaltepec’s highest point is El Picacho, at 1960 meters above sea level. Many coffee farms are planted in El Boquerón’s surrounding area and a nearby national park helps preserve the region’s natural resources.