Peru Luz Nelly Alarcon Estela
Apricot, Raspberry, Cane Sugar, Juicy Acidity
Origin: Peru
Region: El Huaco, Cajamarca
Variety: Red Caturra & Bourbon
Altitude: 2000 masl
Process: Fully Washed
Roast Level: Light
DESCRIPTION:
A FRUITY-FORWARD WASHED PERUVIAN COFFEE
From Peru. Luz Nelly's skill and diligence shine in this washed lot from the Cajamarca region. Alarcon Estela is fresh, versatile and delicious. Sweet with a hint of fruitiness, it will brighten your day with each sip. We think this coffee from Luz is exceptional, and we are thrilled for the opportunity to experience it. We are sure you will enjoy it as much as we have.
ABOUT THE COFFEE:
Luz Nelly Alarcon Estela’s farm has been singled out as one of the top lots in Peru. With her four children, Luz is able to maintain her 2-hectare plot of land in the village of Flor del Norte of the Huabal district. She purchased the farm in 2016 when it was just one single hectare and has since grown and improved the area thanks to extensive soil and water conservation. Luz has also incorporated compost into the soil to improve its health and she also works to preserve local species. In 2017, she was able to improve her processing facilities by utilizing tanks and tubs for fermentation and washing, with an expansive drying area and warehouses to store parchment. Luz also carefully manages the processing times and has trialled new methods in order to improve quality.
Luz named the farm Perlamayo after the origin of the seeds grown on the farm. At 2,000 meters above sea level, her farm reaps in the benefit of slow maturation of coffee cherries – helping to improve the quality of coffee in a natural way. Producers in the region work in 15-year rotations, focusing on each variety individually. When a plant reaches the end of its 15-year life cycle, it will be dramatically cut back using the ‘Zoca’ practice. This sees the tree cut back to the stem just 30 centimetres from the ground, stimulating the emergence of new growth. In preparation for this event, trees of the same variety are planted two years in advance, meaning there is an uninterrupted supply of mature cherry. Soil analysis is regularly conducted with organic fertiliser applied in March and after the harvest in November. For fertiliser, producers in this region use a mix of compost and ‘guano de las Islas’, meaning guano from the islands. Located just off the coast of Peru are a collection of small islands, home to large sea bird populations. These birds produce large amounts of excrement, or, guano, which settles on the ground as a nutrient-rich top layer. Guano is collected on the island and transported to the mainland to be used as a fertiliser.