José Guevara is a coffee from Peru roasted by the Danish roastery La Cabra, which surprises in the cup with its depth and floral complexity. This washed Typica from the sloping mountains of the Cajamarca region at an altitude of 2,000 meters offers aromatic citrus notes and the rich sweetness of blackberry jam, all wrapped in a rich, floral veil that holds the cup together from the first sip to the long finish.
Farmer José Guevara grows coffee on the four-hectare La Lúcuma farm in the municipality of Callayuc, near the town of Querocoto in the heart of Cajamarca. At an altitude of 2,000 meters, where cool nights slow ripening and naturally concentrate sugars and aromatic compounds, he grows Typica, Yellow Caturra, and Bourbon in a complex agroforestry system with fruit and shade trees. José is a member of the Aromas del Valle cooperative, which since its founding in 2015 has brought together nearly 600 growers from the Cajamarca region and actively supports the development of individual microlots. The cooperative provides its members with assistance in processing, access to exotic varieties, and organic farming, and its young leadership brings energy and a desire to try new things to the entire project.
The coffee undergoes traditional washed processing, which, at this altitude and in the region’s cool climate, gives the profile exceptional clarity and brightness. After the ripe cherries are hand-harvested, the fruit is pulped, and the beans ferment in water tanks until the remaining pulp is naturally released. This is followed by a thorough washing with fresh water and slow drying on raised beds, where the cool mountain air draws out the moisture evenly and without haste. The result is a cup that perfectly reflects the place from which it comes.