Peru - Rioja Family

ROAST

• Farm/Coffee: Rioja Family
• Location: Perlamayo, Huabal
• Varietal: Caturra
• Altitude: 1850-1950m
• Process: Washed

Cupping Notes

Butterscotch, peach, red fruits, intensely sweet with a long milk chocolate finish

More Information

We are delighted to bring back to the roastery the delicious coffee of the Rioja Family in Peru. Their coffee last year proved to be one of our stand-outs of the year, and this years crop is so good we think it belongs in our premium range, showcasing the best of what coffee can be! It jumped off the cupping table at us with a sweetness we’d not tasted before in a coffee – if you have a sweet tooth then this is the coffee for you! 

Emma Rioja, a dedicated coffee farmer continues her family tradition with a passion for high-quality coffee at her farm La Guaba, at an altitude of 1877 metres above sea level. Her passion for coffee stems from her family's long-standing tradition in coffee farming. The farm is family-owned, passed down from her parents, and employs five people.

The climate in this region is cold and humid with frequent rainfall, which supports the growth of speciality coffee. However, Emma does face challenges such as climate change, drought, pests, and plant diseases. To address these issues, she employs sustainable practices like mechanical weeding and the incorporation of decomposed organic matter. The farm's coffee varieties include Caturra, Costa Rica, and Nacional, which are processed using anaerobic fermentation in bags. After harvest, the cherries are rested for 36 hours, followed by fermentation in plastic bags for 48 hours, a process adapted to the colder climate in Perlamayo.

Emma finds pride in working on her own land and strives to cultivate high-quality coffee varieties. Her vision for the future includes maintaining and improving the processing infrastructure to continue producing exceptional coffee. Emma's environmental efforts include the use of organic material and sustainable weeding techniques. Though the farm currently has no certifications, these practices reflect her commitment to preserving the environment and improving the conditions of her farm.

This delicious coffee has been sourced through Falcon Coffees. Emma and her family are participating in Falcon's Specialty Plus project, where they have received equipment and been assigned an agronomist to help them experiment.