Founded in 1932, the name Bosque Lya translates to 'Lya’s forest', named after Gustavo Vides Valdes' newborn daughter, Lya.
Today, this forest makes up 1/3 of Finca Bosque Lya, and is home to an abundance of native flora and fauna. We were lucky enough to visit Finca Bosque Lya in 2018, and meet Joe Melina, the farm's owner.
This has become one of our most treasured coffees - it's the archetypal Salvadorian coffee - nutty, creamy and moreish. Not to mention, it's amazingly versatile! Give it a go as a knockout espresso, or as a comforting cup of filter coffee. It's no wonder it won a Great Taste Award in 2020, with the judges praising its "mellow, nutty sweetness".
This is a 96-hectare farm - 64 of which are under coffee, the balance being left as a natural rainforest. However, in many parts of the farm, it is difficult to recognise what is pure forest and what isn’t, since so many shade trees are used. There is an abundance of wildlife including birds such as hummingbirds, orioles and hawks and many migratory species. Mammals include wild cats, armadillos, deer and possum.
There are endless beautiful flowers including colourful rare orchids and epiphytes that grow on the branches of the trees. The views from this farm are jaw-dropping with the mountains and volcanoes of west El Salvador and Guatemala beyond dominating the picture. The towering El Chingo Volcano takes centre stage in this dramatic scene.
