The Mendoza family runs the farm El Mirante in the well-known coffee region of Cusco in Peru. El Mirante covers only 3 hectares, and the entire Mendoza family is involved in running it. Since the farm is relatively small compared to other Peruvian coffee farms, they need to be very careful with their cultivation practices, opting for an organic-by-default approach and using natural biodiversity for shade and soil health.

During picking they handpick ripe cherries and process the coffee on the farm. After depulping the seeds are fermented and the cool high altitude allows for a slow and controlled ferment. Afterward the coffee is washed clean and dried on raised beds under shade for 20 days, being turned regularly to ensure even drying.

This coffee from a small family-owned farm is our pick for this year's Christmas Coffee. At Kaffi we're always happy to support the smallest producers and want to showcase the fine work that they do as often as we can.