When we visited Peru last fall, one of our very favorites—out of all six tables of coffee we tasted—came from Elmer Cruz Guerrero, a member of Asprocafe Alpes Andinos, a fairly new co-operative with an estimated 92 members and growing. Elmer's coffee was beautifully floral like our favorite oolong teas, had a mild berry tartness, and a mellow but persistent sweetness like ripe honeydew melons.
Elmer has been producing coffee on his farm, El Bosque, for 6 years, but learned the coffee business from his father (and next-door neighbor), who still produces commercial coffee. Elmer is incredibly motivated to improve his quality, increase production, and expand his business. He's submitted 8 bags of his current lot to Peru's Cup of Excellence, and has several nurseries of gesha, yellow bourbon, and yellow caturra on deck to plant. Like Elmer's farm, this is a relationship we can't wait to cultivate.