Introduction
Ecuador, the smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, has an array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest. One of its main attractions is the Galapagos Islands, owned by Ecuador since 1832.

These islands are lauded as one of the world's greatest natural history treasures. In 1835 Charles Darwin finished his scientific trip by visiting the Galápagos Islands and decided to write his famous book, "The Origin of Species ". These islands are located at 1.000 Km from the continent of South America, and are made up of 7 great islands, 12 small islands, and 42 keys.

Ecuador Coffee History
Coffee was introduced in Ecuador in the early XIX century and became its main export during the first half of the XX century. It produces both, Arabica and Robusta varieties. About 60% of the coffee is of the Arabica variety and 40% of the Robusta variety. The coffee production in Ecuador has been decreasing over the last decade and currently the production is just about 700,000 bags. Coffee exports are very low since most of the coffee produced in Ecuador is consumed domestically.

Santa Cruz Estate Coffee, Galápagos Islands
In 1869, Mr. Manuel Cobos, one of the first land owners in the Galápagos Islands, was trying to find a crop to be planted and produced on his farm. Mr. Cobos invited a group of French agronomists to give him advice and they planted the first arabica typica coffee plants in the Galápagos Islands. Regretfully, meeting difficult times, cultivation was completely abandoned in 1915. In 1990, the Gonzalez Family, current owner of Santa Cruz Estate, discovered this plantation and in agreement with the owners (from whom they acquired the property five years later) began a renewal process.

Up until now, almost all of the Galápagos coffee available in the market was from San Cristóbal Island (the third largest island of the Galápagos Islands). Our Santa Cruz Estate coffee, as its name indicates, is grown on Santa Cruz Island, which is the second largest island in the Galápagos Islands. Some people believe that Santa Cruz Estate coffee is sweeter and its aroma richer than other Galápagos coffees. The reason for this better taste is perhaps the special micro-climate found on Santa Cruz Island provided by the particular location of it in the archipelago, Santa Cruz Island is located in the middle of the Galápagos group of islands (see map).

Santa Cruz Estate is still using the same coffee plants introduced by the French agronomists in 1875, so this coffee is produced by plants that are more than 130 years old. These old coffee plants are one of the reasons for the particular character of the Santa Cruz Estate coffee.

Declared by UNESCO "Patrimony of Humanity", the Galapagos Islands’ law prohibits the use of chemicals and other pesticides, so Santa Cruz Estate coffee is organic coffee.

The pure and balanced ecosystem of the island also contributes to the outstanding taste of the Santa Cruz Estate coffee.

Here are some of the characteristics of Santa Cruz Estate: