Mauricio Escalón – Las Marías Farm, El Salvador ‎
Mauricio Escalón was born into a coffee-growing family whose history with coffee began in the third quarter of the 19th century. In the 1870s, his great-grandfather, Pedro José Escalón, started a coffee plantation in Santa Ana. Later, he founded El Molino (“The Mill”) — the first industrial coffee processing plant in El Salvador. ‎
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By the end of the 20th century, the family business faced serious challenges due to the global coffee price crisis. However, with Mauricio’s arrival, it gained a new lease on life. In 2003, the company Cafescal was established, with a strategy centered on the philosophy of specialty coffee. The name “Cafescal” stands for Cafes Escalón Calderón, where Calderón is Mauricio’s mother’s surname. Today, the family owns 10 farms and 2 mills. ‎
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As the Managing Director of Cafescal, Mauricio oversees agricultural processes, administration, and farm management. Although he holds a degree in architecture and previously worked in construction, his passion for coffee brought him back to the family legacy. ‎
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Las Marías Farm ‎
The Las Marías farm has been in the Escalón family since the early 1900s. It was later divided between two heirs, and one part was sold to another company in the 1990s. A few years ago, Mauricio bought it back, returning it to family ownership. ‎
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Today, 35.7 hectares are cultivated under the shade of inga and gravilea trees, with varieties including Bourbon, Pacas, Colombia, and Pacamara. In 2021, Las Marías Pacamara was among the winners of the prestigious Cup of Excellence competition. ‎
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Social Responsibility ‎
As part of its commitment to social responsibility, Cafescal promotes the “Happy People” program — based on the idea that happiness comes from loving what you do. The company encourages its team to find joy in their daily work. ‎