On the whole, Peru doesn’t hear its praises sung in the world of coffee quite as often as some of its neighbouring Central American coffee producers do, but this is typically a matter of quantity over quality. While Peru exports significantly smaller volumes of coffee per year than, for example, Colombia or Brazil, it still produces fantastic specialty-grade coffee on a consistent basis. Peruvian lots are certainly hotly anticipated at Cape Coffee Beans, particularly when roasted by our friends at Origin Coffee Roasting. 

The main reason for Peru’s lower-volume production is that its coffee farmers typically operate at smaller scales, lacking the infrastructure and resources necessary for mass production. Fortunately, coffee cooperatives such as Aromas Del Valle, where this coffee was processed, exist throughout the country, working to organise farmers and producers, provide them with resources and educational material that improve both their produce and quality of life, and connect them to the global market. It is thanks to their efforts that we can now enjoy delicious Peruvian coffees on a consistent basis.

This particular coffee is one of two single-variety microlots grown by the Leon sisters in Peru’s Northern Cajamarca region. Bordered by both the Andes mountain range and the Amazon rainforest, Cajamarca features the sort of climates, altitudes and soils that Arabica coffee plants can thrive in, and comes up consistently in Peru’s Cup of Excellence contests. Our friends at Origin are offering us a special tasting opportunity with these two similarly cultivated and processed lots, of two different varieties, to try side by side. 

Origin’s notes

• Flavour: Chocolate, vanilla ice-cream, mango, peach tea, milk tart, yellow raisin
• Body: Medium
• Acidity: Vibrant
• Roast: Medium
• Suggested brewing methods: Chemex, AeroPress, plunger, pour-over, expresso, & milk-based

Coffee details from Origin

"This washed microlot is sourced from woman producer Ismeria Leon, a member of the Aromas del Valle co-operative. Her 2ha farm in Santa Teresa, Callyuc, is situated at 2250masl, making it ideal for the production of specialty coffee due to its abundant sunshine and cool temperatures. Along with her sister Merly who also operates a farm in the region, Ismeria is driven and inquisitive, constantly seeking to improve quality and productivity on the farm. This washed lot includes an extended 48 hour anaerobic fermentation before washing.

"'I live in the Santa Teresa Village, in the province of Cutervo, Cajamarca, at 2252 meters above sea level. This is where I have built my life and where I strive every day to get ahead. My story with coffee began in 2015, when together with my neighbors we realised that our land had something special. We realised that the conditions here are perfect for coffee, and that with effort we could grow something unique. So I ventured out and started planting, step by step, learning and taking care of each plant with my own hands. Every day I look around me and feel grateful for what surrounds me. My land, my children, and the coffee that with effort we have made our own. I feel proud of who I am and what we are building together.' - Ismeria Leon"

• Country: Peru
• Region: Santa Teresa de Queromarca, Cajamarca
• Owner: Ismeria Leon
• Producer: processed at the Aromas Del Valle Co-operative
• Farm: Finca La Lucuma
• Altitude: 2250 masl
• Variety: Caturra
• Processing: Washed