Yesterday, we cupped some coffee samples that we had been awaiting in order to make our final decisions as to which coffees to import to the US this year. For those who have never “cupped” (taste tested) coffee before, here’s a glimpse into what it’s like:
From an article in Gestion Peru: (Via Google Translate & authors correction)
Peruvian coffee exports totaled 40,371 bags in April, down 9.7% from the 44.685 bags of the same month last year, according to the Peruvian Chamber of Coffee and Cacao.
In the first four months of the year, exports fell 64% to 160,584 from 443,481 bags in the same period of 2014, said Luis Navarro, president of the group based in Lima. Each bag weighs 60 kg or 132 lbs.
According to figures from the Chamber, shipments in 2015 showed the slowest pace since at least 2005.
They (exports) experienced a drop amid low stocks remaining from the previous season, while the rains delayed the harvest that began last month and usually reaches its peak in July.
Peru is the third largest coffee producer in South America, after Brazil and Colombia.
Source: Exportaciones peruanas de café (Gestion via Google Translate)
Last week we spent several days with Cesar of Chacra D’dago, the certified biodynamic award winning coffee growers from the Villa Rica area of Chanchamayo. What an interesting place! Continue reading Real People, Really Good Coffee: Point of Origin – Chacra D’dago
This past weekend, we journeyed to Chanchamayo for the first of a series of workshops to promote good harvest and post harvest techniques with the local coffee growers. We met with representatives from Edegel, non profit AVSI, and Tostaduria Bisetti of Lima. We also had the good fortune to be accompanied by world renowned food critic & prolific author Ignacio Medina. Ignacio is well known for his discerning palate and is an expert on Latin American cuisine . Continue reading Curibamba Workshops, A Conversation with Ignacio Medina
This week we travel to Chanchamayo for the first in a series of workshops for the coffee growers there. This year world coffee prices are low, so our focus will be on coffee quality above all else. Our direct market philosophy doesn’t pay any attention to the bulk wholesale price of coffee, but to a sustainable, equitable pricing that allows for the growers to receive a just price for their coffee. Rather than have some good years, and then years of low prices and economic stagnation for the farmers, we pay a higher, consistent price every year. When prices are low like now, we can insist on better quality and attention to care of the new crop because we’re the best option that actually pays an ethical price. When prices are high though, we’re still able to get great coffee because we’ve built an actual relationship rather than just being another buyer.
Continue reading First Coffee Workshops for Curibamba Growers This Week
This week in our ongoing blog series, “Real People, Really Good Coffee,” we visit Glenn & Stefanie Frank of Frankly Good Coffee in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Franks are dedicated coffee lovers, and are committed to producing the freshest most flavorful coffee. You can find them at Farmers markets around town.
It’s May and in Peru it is the beginning of the coffee harvest season. Soon, we’ll be heading to Lima and from there to the eastern Andes & the rainforests of Chanchamayo. It’s exhilarating and exciting, yet fraught with uncertainties and that uncomfortable background feeling that one gets when faced with the unknown.
We’re still uncertain how many of the small communities of growers were affected by the massive flooding this year & how the coffee quality will be this year. (see Torrential Rains & Mudslides Continue to Plague Peru.)
Continue reading Real People, Really Good Coffee May 2015
Here’s an update on some recent articles that I’ve seen on farming & coffee production in Peru. This year Peru is slowly climbing back from the coffee rust which decimated production in 2012. Even last year, coffee production was still less than half of 2011.
The dollar has risen considerable vs the Peruvian Sol (currently S./ 3.14 to $1 USD.) Export prices are down, so there should be a good market, but with coffee prices low, it will be a hard year for many & difficult to cover costs.
In the farming country in the south of the country there have been clashes between police and protesters over a proposed copper mine, meanwhile the government is providing fertilizer and aid in other areas.
Our coffee travels lead us to meet some of the most interesting and helpful people in the trade. Ron Cortez of the Cortez Coffee Company in Tempe, Arizona has an amazing story & Ron is extremely supportive of our work with Peruvian farmers. Here’s more about this true coffee hero.
Continue reading Real People, Really Good Coffee – Ron Cortez, Cortez Coffee Company
The month has flown by already and the time is ticking downward until our return trip to Peru & the rainforests of Chanchamayo. It’s been a whirlwind of good things & even better people that have come onto our paths in the coffee journey.
Continue reading Real People, Really Good Coffee (Update April 2015)
