Peru · San Ignacio

Born in the far reaches of Peru, in the hands of the families who chose coffee over the mine.

In the far north of the country, where Cajamarca meets the Ecuadorian border, rises the province of San Ignacio — known as the land of coffee, honey and forests. A region of steep slopes and cloud forests, bordering the Tabaconas Namballe sanctuary, one of the most biodiverse territories in the country. It is here, between 1,200 and 1,800 meters above sea level, on small family farms tended under shade, that our coffee grows.

Behind this lot lies a story of men and women: the APROCASSI cooperative. Born at the turn of the millennium, it is first and foremost the fruit of a struggle — that of the families of San Ignacio who, faced with a mining project threatening their land, chose to defend their water, their forest and their coffee. Around 600 smallholder families grow their Arabica there today on family farms, and reinvest their fair trade premiums in what truly matters: quality, reforestation, beekeeping, and a women's committee whose members own and manage their own plots.

This cooperative holds Fairtrade / Max Havelaar fair trade certification. Behind these words lies the promise of a fair price that shields producers from the market's swings, a development premium decided democratically by the families themselves, and respect for women and men, plantations and soils. Choosing this coffee means tasting the work of a community that has chosen to remain master of its own land.

And you can taste that respect. Picked by hand, the cherries are wet-processed and then dried in the sun; the green coffee beans from organic farming are sorted one by one by the families. In the cup, a high-altitude washed Arabica of great smoothness, with a round body and fine acidity, and a lingering finish of chocolate, caramel and nuts. An exceptional coffee: for its taste, and for everything it carries.

Characteristics

• Origin: Peru — Cajamarca, province of San Ignacio · APROCASSI cooperative
• Altitude: 1,200 to 1,800 m
• Variety: Arabica (Hard Bean, dense high-altitude bean)
• Process: Washed (wet process), sun-dried, hand-sorted
• Harvest: April to September
• At origin: Fairtrade / Max Havelaar certified fair trade cooperative · green coffee beans from organic farming
• Body: round
• Acidity: fine

Brewing tips

This smooth washed coffee has two sides. As a filter brew (V60, Chemex), a medium grind and water around 92–94 °C reveal its smoothness and the finesse of the cup. As an espresso, aim for a 1:2 ratio (≈ 18 g → 36 g) in 25–30 s to concentrate the chocolate and caramel, for an enveloping, spellbinding cup. Either way, the round body is always there.