ACAB. Yes, that acronym probably rings a bell. Dark Arts Coffee, in collaboration with the band IDLES, is sending it into a more peaceful world this time around, claiming that “All Coffees Are Beautiful.” And with this Peruvian coffee, we totally believe them. In the cup, sweet figs, juicy red apples, and dark chocolate come together, resulting in a pleasantly rounded, fruity, and chocolatey profile. The natural processing adds sweetness and a fuller body, yet the flavor remains clean and well-defined.
The coffee comes from the Cajamarca region in northern Peru and is produced by Segundo Estela Vasquez. Caturra and Catuaí coffee trees grow at an elevation of approximately 1,650 to 1,750 meters. Falcon Peru plays a major role in the entire project; it has transformed the way coffee is purchased in the region and began working directly with independent smallholder farmers without intermediaries. As a result, producers gain access to training, better financial transparency, and higher premiums for higher-quality coffee. In microclimatically diverse areas, such as Huabal in Cajamarca, the transition from less suitable varieties to higher-quality ones and more precise processing methods is also being supported.
Processing is done using the dry method, which gives this lot a fuller sweetness and a more pronounced fruity character. After harvest, the ripe cherries are dried whole, so the bean remains in contact with the pulp and gradually absorbs its sugars and flavor compounds. Falcon Peru also helps producers gain access to infrastructure and controlled shade drying, which helps preserve the purity and consistency of the final lot. More than 438 registered farmers are currently participating in the program. The result is a sweet and balanced coffee that naturally blends notes of ripe fig, juicy apple, and a darker chocolate finish.
- Producer: Segundo Estela Vasquez
- Elevation: 1,650–1,750 m above sea level
- Partner: Falcon Peru (438+ farmers in the program)