The Vientos Alisios

A combination of factors directly contributes to the Coffee’s characteristics. First, the Vientos Alisios, or Northeastern trade winds: they bring cool air, carrying a fine mineral dust of sand from the Sahara, supporting the lush and verdant landscapes found in the region. The island’s volcanic origins, combined with plentiful mineral content and a high percentage of decomposing organic material, make the region’s soil ideal.

Other coffee growing regions of Africa and Latin America, grow coffee at elevations up to 10,000 feet. In contrast, the highest elevations in Puerto Rico are around 4000 feet— instead of relying on altitude, Puerto Rico’s latitude, and positioning in relation to the equator, means that we achieve the same cool climate as these other regions, but at a fraction of the altitude. The final element of La Cordillera’s unique terroir cannot be overstated: the people, our culture, our traditions. For over three centuries, coffee production has been inextricably tied to our national identity, and way of life. Today, we are guided by the wisdom and ancestral practices of La Cordillera’s inhabitants, whose undying dedication has survived invaluable knowledge through the turbulent history of our industry.

After an ongoing cycle of economic, natural, and political disasters over the last CENTURY, we hope to be part of the rediscovery of Puerto Rico as a specialty origin—one that leads to inclusive growth, enfranchisement of small-scale producers & farmers, and a new perception of island’s coffee we can all rightfully be proud of.