La Palta, Peru

This washed microlot comes from Merly León, producer of La Palta farm in Queromarca, in northern Peru. Her 12-hectare farm sits at more than 2200masl, a privileged altitude where sunny days and cool temperatures create ideal conditions for developing coffees with remarkable complexity.

Merly is 37 years old and was born in Santa Teresa de Queromarca. She is well known in her community for her perseverance and her constant drive to improve both the quality and productivity of her farm. Together with her sister Ismeria, who also produces coffee in the region, she is a member of the Aromas del Valle cooperative, where producers work collectively to strengthen agricultural practices and increase the value of their coffees.

Queromarca was one of the first areas where coffee began to be cultivated in the entire Callayuc district. Before that, farmers in the region mainly focused on crops such as corn, potatoes, or cattle farming. Today, thanks to its altitude and diverse microclimates, the area has become an especially promising environment for producing specialty coffee.

The Callayuc region, located in the province of Cutervo (Cajamarca), combines tropical jungle, mountains, and fertile valleys. This diverse landscape, with elevations exceeding 2800m, creates a rich ecosystem where coffee grows alongside forests and permanent crops that help maintain the agricultural balance of the area.

For this lot, ripe cherries are first selected through flotation before processing begins. The coffee then undergoes 48h of anaerobic fermentation, followed by depulping and an additional 42h of fermentation before washing. Drying takes place on raised African beds for approximately 17–18 days, allowing for a slow and even drying process.

This work is further supported by the Aromas del Valle cooperative, which in recent years has provided training on fermentation and processing techniques to help increase cup complexity and add value to farmers’ coffees.

The result is a clean and expressive cup, reflecting both the altitude of Queromarca and the careful work of Merly and her community.