Peru Coffee Growing Region Cuzco Coffee Varieties Historical Stories Flavor Profile Characteristics

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Peru: A Major Coffee Producer

Peru is also a major coffee producing country. As much as 98% of Peruvian coffee is grown in forest areas, and most producers are small farmers.

Peru has favorable economic conditions and stable political situation, thus ensuring the excellent quality of coffee. However, there are many local problems. In addition to guerrilla warfare and drug trafficking, the cholera outbreak that appeared in coastal areas in the mid-1990s further caused economic depression. Moreover, the annual inflation rate once reached 7,000%.

In the mid-1970s, Peru's annual coffee production was about 900,000 bags, which later grew steadily to about 1.3 million bags per year. Although private exporters purchase coffee from remote areas through middlemen, the main market is still monopolized by the government. Later, the private Peruvian Coffee Exporters Association (Cámara de Exportadores de Café del Perú) was established. The association is dedicated to improving coffee quality, with its primary task being to establish standards, eliminate inferior products, and thus create a quality-first atmosphere. This positive initiative heralds a bright future for the coffee industry. Afterward, rising prices also encouraged farmers to actively grow coffee instead of the region's traditional economic crop - cocoa.

The highest quality Peruvian coffee is produced in Chanchamayo, Cuzco, Norte, and Puno. Most Peruvian coffee is grown under natural conditions, but it is also difficult to confirm the growing conditions of all coffee trees. Naturally grown coffee commands a price 10-20% higher than others. From the perspective of poverty, farmers are likely unable to afford fertilizers and pesticides, but it is indeed difficult to confirm that all coffee is truly organic.

The quality of Peruvian coffee can compete with any coffee from Central or South America. High-quality coffee produced in Peru is shipped to Germany for blending, then transported to Japan and the United States, which also demonstrates its high quality standards from another aspect.

Peru began exporting coffee in 1887 and is now the eighth-largest producing country and the world's largest organic coffee exporter, with an annual volume of 2 million bags, accounting for 5% of total exports. More than one-third of the nation's coffee is grown in the Cajamarca region in the north, as well as in Apurímac and Cuzco in the south. Farms are mainly operated by small farmers with an average size not exceeding 5 hectares. The most common varieties are Bourbon, Typica, Pache, Caturra.

Coffee cultivation can reach up to 2,200 meters, with many unique microclimates. Many coffees are collected together for processing and then sold through cooperatives. This is currently the mainstream of specialty coffee. In the past 10 years, the EL GUABO Guabo community has developed small-batch coffee beans based on organic principles, often holding competitions to reward and certify growers.

CUSCO

The Cuzco growing region is located in southern Peru. In some aspects, coffee serves as a legal alternative crop to coca. Most coffee is grown by small farmers rather than large estates. The region's thriving tourism industry means many tourists pass through Cuzco city on their way to Machu Picchu.

Altitude: 1,200-1,900m

Harvest: March-September

Varieties: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, Pache, Mundo Novo, Catuai, Catimor

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