Challenged by the shoddy infrastructure and wild terrain on high ridges thick in the jungle, it is a wonder the smooth crisp coffees from Peru ever make it to our doorstep. In this country of 28 million, only 110,000 farmers brave the rugged conditions to grow coffee.

In Perspective

Coffee was first introduced to Peru in the 1700s when the heirloom variety, typica, first graced the shores of this South American paradise. Early years found the coffee industry plagued with bad management, government corruption, and unfair prices paid to farmers. A resurgence of a solid coffee industry coupled with careful quality control has meant that Peru is now producing some of the finest specialty grade coffees on the market. Higher Grounds is pleased to be purchasing from one of Peru’s leading co-ops offering quality fair trade and organic coffees!

A Quality Cup

Today, over 35% of the country’s coffee trees are an heirloom variety. Coffee production is divided into three regions – the full-bodied coffees of the south, the creamy and hearty beans from the central region, and the smooth, earthy yet bright coffee from the north. The northern region produces some of the finest coffees and has only recently positioned itself as prime coffee exporting center, with most of the trees first planted less than 20 years ago.

CAC Pangoa - Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa

Formed in 1977, Pangoa provides technical and commercialization support to its nearly 500 growers. Hailing from a San Martin de Pangoa, the cooperative has been successful in marketing their fair trade coffee while returning their fair trade premiums to growing communities. Growers have an average of 4 acres of planted coffee which is handpicked and sundried each year between April and August.

Click here to purchase coffee from this cooperative.