PERU | DEMOSTENES TANTALEAN | GEISHA | WASHED

High in the mountains of Cajamarca, in the district of Tacabamba, lies La Malquerida, a family coffee farm where tradition and ambition meet.

The farm is led by Demóstenes Tantaleán Acuña, a second-generation producer who grew up surrounded by coffee cultivation. His family's decision to establish the farm was shaped by the region's favourable climate and the possibility of creating a sustainable livelihood through coffee.

For Demóstenes, however, growing coffee is about more than producing a reliable crop. He has deliberately moved towards cultivating distinctive, high-quality varieties such as Geisha, seeking to demonstrate what the mountains of northern Peru can offer the speciality coffee world.

At 1,950 metres above sea level, the farm provides the setting for this carefully produced lot. Ripe cherries are hand-selected before undergoing a 36-hour anaerobic fermentation, followed by washing and slow drying in a parabolic solar dryer.

The result is an expressive coffee with delicate magnolia aromatics, refined bergamot citrus and vibrant pineapple sweetness.

It is a reflection of one producer's dedication to quality and a wonderful opportunity to explore the increasingly exciting speciality coffees emerging from Peru.

This coffee undergoes a washed process incorporating a controlled 36-hour anaerobic fermentation.

Fully ripe cherries are selectively hand-picked before being floated in water to remove defects and low-density fruit.

The coffee then undergoes 36 hours of controlled fermentation in an oxygen-limited environment, encouraging aromatic complexity and fruit expression.

Following fermentation, the coffee is thoroughly washed to remove the remaining mucilage before being slowly dried in a parabolic solar dryer. This sheltered drying environment supports gradual, even moisture reduction.

Finally, the coffee is rested and stored under controlled conditions to preserve its quality before export.

La Malquerida is a family-run farm established around the region's favourable growing conditions and coffee's potential to provide a sustainable livelihood.

Demóstenes Tantaleán Acuña has focused on developing quality-led production rather than simply increasing volume, cultivating high-value varieties such as Geisha to improve cup quality and recognition for the region.

The farm combines traditional agricultural knowledge with organic farming practices and modern processing techniques.

The supplier does not provide details of formal environmental certifications, specific community programmes or independently verified producer premiums.