Peru - La Naranja

Saul Menor, a first-generation coffee farmer, owns a 4ha farm in San Francisco village, Huabal district, near Jaen. Originally from Cajamarca, and hailing from a potato farming family, Saul moved to Jaen at a young age, investing his savings in land for coffee cultivation. While consistently producing a substantial coffee volume, Saul has recently shifted his focus to prioritize quality and enhance his cup score.

Specialising in the Caturra variety at high altitudes, he's expanding his cultivation to include Geisha and Marshel (a Peruvian variety), expected to yield their first production in 2024. During the harvest season, he employs 8 to 10 temporary workers for 'selective picking', ensuring ripe cherries, at their peak.

The 'washed' process swiftly removes the fruit's skin and mucilage within 24 hours of harvesting using pulping machines or water. After de-pulping, coffees undergo fermentation for 12 to 72 hours, followed by drying on raised beds or patios for 18 to 36 hours or 7 to 15 days, depending on the farm's scale. Washed coffees are known for their clean, crisp, sweet, and fruity profiles, with extended fermentation enhancing fruity and boozy characteristics.