Salva - xPods

Salva from El Salvador

Tasting notes: Dark Chocolate - Brown Sugar - Dark Grape - Black Berry

Process: Super Natural

About Gilberto Baraona

Project Origin first began working with the renowned farm Los Pirineos in 2013 after our founder Saša Šestić met with producer Gilberto Baraona. Since then, we have collaborated with Los Pirineos on the cultivation, development and experimental processing of a number of varietals at the farm. From 2017, we worked closely with Gilberto and his team on experimental processing techniques including carbonic maceration. The application of these techniques has allowed Los Pirineos to produce more consistent coffees and further increase the quality of their varietals and lots.
In addition to his outstanding work with the Tecapa family business and Los Pirineos farm, Gilberto was a speaker at several coffee events and expositions around the world, including the Specialty Coffee Expo USA. In 2018 he was awarded the El Salvador Coffee Farmer of the Year and his coffees have won places in the Cup of Excellence awards 17 times. His commitment to improving the quality of El Salvadorian coffee extends well beyond his farms perimeter, and he was an integral figure in organising numerous ‘Project Origin: Best of El Salvador’ auction programs, enabling many small-scale producers to sell their coffee directly to buyers for the first time. His dedication to community, sustainable practices and producing high quality coffee perfectly align with our own values, and we consider him to have been one of our closest partners.

In 2020 we were saddened by the news that Gilberto had passed away. His legacy and dedication to specialty coffee and El Salvadorian coffee continue through his son Diego and daughter Fabiola. We continue to honour Gilberto’s memory by sharing his passion and coffees with our friends across the world.