Peru Las Etiopes Geisha Natural

Las Etíopes is a 7ha farm, of which 3ha is planted with coffee, situated in the village of El Porvenir in Jaén, Cajamarca. The farm sits at an altitude of between 1800m and reaches 2050m at its peak. Of the 7ha, only three hectares are currently planted: two hectares with Ethiopian heirloom varieties (geisha and wush wush) and one hectare with traditional local varieties such as geisha and bourbon.

Simon bought the farm in 2019 and the first trees were planted in early 2020. Of the Ethiopian varieties, there are around five lines—some compact types and others taller, somewhat similar to bourbon or geisha. Most of the seed stock comes from the Jimma area of Ethiopia, but recent plantings include Sidama and Yirgacheffe types.

The farm is surrounded by lush forest and is one of the few farms in the area, though as the climate changes, more forest is being converted into farmland. All of the land currently planted with coffee was either pasture or a coffee farm when Simon acquired it, and all of the primary forest on the property is preserved. An important principle of the farm’s concept is to protect the natural environment and integrate agriculture sustainably.

After harvesting, the coffee cherries are floated in wooden tanks and then fermented in plastic barrels for 48 hours. They are then placed on covered raised beds to dry for around 30 to 35 days, depending on the weather.