KB Peru Timbuyacu Whole Bean

8.8oz / 250g Whole Bean
Notes: Cherries, Red Fruit Jams, Milk Chocolate, Praline
Region: San Nicolas Rodríguez de Mendoza, Amazonas
Producer: Alfonso Tejada Iberico & Karim Rosario Araoz Grandez
Varietal: Caturra
Process: Natural
Elevation: 1620 m
 
From KB:
 
"Alfonso Tejada Iberico inherited Finca Timbuyacu from his mother, who had inherited it from her own mother, Eleodora Mori de Iberico. Eleodora was a source of inspiration for Alfonso and his wife, Karim Rosario Araoz Grandez. The farm's name comes from a story Eleodora told Alfonso about a spring on the property, so abundant that the water gushed forth as if boiling. The name Timbuyacu comes from the Quechua words "timbu," meaning boiling, and "yacu," meaning water.
In order to perpetuate his grandmother's legacy, Alfonso and Karim launched their "Nueva Esperanza" project in 2010, when they sold their Lima-based travel agency to return to Finca Timbuyacu and create a model farm there.
 
Under their leadership, Finca Timbuyacu became the heart of Café Monteverde's operations. This couple was determined to improve the social conditions of other small producers in the region and envisioned their business as a way to help local producers market their coffee under better conditions.
 
Finca Timbuyacu's role as a model farm is undoubtedly the most important. Members can visit to learn about farm management, harvesting, and post-harvest practices such as fermentation, washing, and various drying methods. Finca Timbuyacu specializes in training its members in a range of skills aimed at optimizing the quality of their production.
When they planted their first coffee trees in Timbuyacu, no one told them that nothing would grow. They had been warned that the land was infertile and that their yield would always be low. Yet, thanks to their careful attention, their harvest and the quality of their coffee have steadily improved year after year. Timbuyacu coffee won 12th place at the 2017 Cup of Excellence.
Of Finca Timbuyacu's 68 hectares, 38 are dedicated to forest reserves protecting native flora and fauna. These conservation areas also protect the farm's lake and natural stream by forming a natural barrier that slows erosion and prevents pollution.
Alfonso's grandmother, Eleodora, grew coffee, cassava, corn, bananas, sugarcane, pineapples, beans, and various other fruit trees on this land. She had built piles of stones (pilancones) to mark the boundaries of her crops. These pilancones are still an integral part of the farm's landscape today. Before her death, Eleodora divided the land among her children, including Alfonso's mother. Today, Alfonso and Karim also grow cassava, bananas, beans, vegetables, oranges, and pineapples.
The cherries are carefully hand-picked to ensure consistent quality. Once picked, they are sorted and then immediately placed on drying racks for about thirty days, depending on the climate. During the drying process, the cherries are regularly turned to ensure an even moisture content.
 
Café Monteverde maintains close relationships with a wide range of producers and producer organizations. In addition to producing a range of micro-lots from Finca Timbuyacu, Alfonso and Karim are committed to providing various services to member producers and helping them market their coffee.
 
Monteverde supports its member farms in implementing measures to ensure sound soil management and conservation. Members plant hedgerows and various shade trees and create contour lines to limit erosion. Alfonso and Karim are also actively involved in their producers' communities. In 2010, the organization collectively funded the purchase of a children's playground in a farmers' community. Then, in 2014, it donated 40 new mattresses to children living in precarious sleeping conditions.
 
Since its inception, Café Monteverde has forged links with a wide range of producers and producer organizations. In addition to producing its own micro-lots from Finca Timbuyacu, the cooperative also markets grouped lots and offers various services to partner producers.
 
Monteverde supports its member farms in implementing measures to ensure sound soil management and conservation. Members plant hedgerows and various shade tree species, and create contour lines to limit erosion. Araoz and Tejada are also actively involved in their producers' communities. In 2010, the organization collectively funded the purchase of a children's playground in one of these communities. Then, in 2014, it acquired 40 new mattresses for children with inadequate sleeping conditions."