Black Cherry, Dark Chocolate, Guava

Producer: Merly Leon
Origin: Queromarca, Peru
Varietal: Bourbon
Elevation: 2250 masl

About This Coffee

This washed microlot is sourced from woman producer Merly Leon. Her 2.5ha farm El Churaz is situated in Queromarcaat 2,250masl, making it ideal for the production of specialty coffee due to its abundant sunshine and cool temperatures. Along with her sister Ismeria who also operates a farm in the region, Merly is driven and inquisitive, constantly seeking to improve quality and producitivity on the farm. This washed lot includes an extended 48 hour anaerobic fermentation before washing.

The Region

Queromarca is one of the areas where coffee was produced for the first time in the entire district of Callayuc. Formerly they were producers of corn, potatoes or cattle, Queromarca is located at an elevation above 2000 meters above sea level and has several microclimates ideal for the production of specialty coffees.

The region of Callayuc is one of the districts of the Cutervo province, Cajamarca, in the north of Peru. It is a territory that features a typical tropical jungle with abundant biodiversity and fertile valleys in its centre. Its altitude varies from 690 masl. at its lowest point to more than 2,800 masl at its highest point. Its geographical conditions allow the existence of a vast flora and fauna, and local producers cover the agricultural lands of Cullayuc with permanent crops and natural forests, especially with coffee.

A few minutes from Callayuc, is the Viluco Waterfall, also known as "bridal veil". This is a beautiful waterfall located in a warm climate that tourists can easily access. On the way to the waterfall, you can appreciate impressive views, characteristic of the northern Peruvian Andes.

Also, in the Callayuc region you will find Cerro Pabellon, which is a mountain peak that exceeds 2200 meters above sea level and is mostly surrounded by forest. This peak is also part of a chain of local mountains, with endemic characteristics and is considered a wildlife refuge. Very close to this peak is the Cordillera del Wissus, also known as Huichus, which has a maximum altitude of 2817 meters above sea level. This mountain range is home to reserve water sources and refuge of important wildlife, varied flora, and intertropical fauna.

History of Coffee in Peru

In 1897 the Belgian consul in Lima Peru wrote a report that “the coffee of Peru is delicious,” there was every reason to believe he was right. That same year, coffee exports had reached well over 20,000 bags, almost triple the 7,000 bags exported in 1894. But the turn of the century would prove to be a peak for that generation of Peruvian coffee exports. By 1913, exports had dropped back down to 9,000 bags. It would have been difficult to imagine on the eve of WWI that for most of the next 100 years Peru would be numbered among the top 10 coffee producing countries in the world, and even rise to the number 5 spot a few times. Looking back, it's not only easy to understand why, but easy to imagine increasing success in producing specialty coffee as a leading supplier of organic coffee.