This coffee comes to us through Emily McIntyre and Swift Coffee Sourcing, a relationship that stretches back years. Many of you may know Emily from her previous work at Catalyst Trade, where she guided us through some of the finest African coffees we have ever purchased. Arrott and Stephen have fond memories of cupping alongside Emily and so many remarkable people in the world of specialty coffee at SCA Expo in Portland. That history means something to us, and we are glad to follow her into this new chapter, which now includes Peru alongside her continued work in Ethiopia.
Señor Dionisio Chinguel Peña is a respected elder within the PAWQARA cooperative in the Chirinos district of Cajamarca, Peru. His decision to join the cooperative carried real weight in the community, lending the project a local stamp of approval that helped ensure it would receive the attention it deserved. On a farm this size, carved into the hillsides of the mountains in the zone of El Corazón, every lot is personal.
PAWQARA itself is a story worth telling. Founded in 2022 by Lily Heredia and Neptaly Santos, alongside Angel Noriega and Cati Simon of Mikel Coffee, and brought to fruition with Emily and Michael McIntyre of Swift Coffee Sourcing, the cooperative was built around a clear vision: a powerful group led by women, for the betterment of the entire community. PAWQARA: Mujeres Fuertes y Resilientes — strong and resilient women — has since grown to include male family members and relatives, and is working toward a goal of three full containers of high quality coffee per year. Swift Coffee Sourcing is the only buyer of their exportable lots.
The infrastructure being built around PAWQARA reflects that commitment. A quality control laboratory is now established on site, giving producers greater confidence by verifying coffee quality at the time of delivery. A small warehouse and storage area is currently under construction. These are not small things in a region where access and resources are hard won.
Dionisio's lot is a washed Caturra grown in ancient and recent alluvial soils at 1,700 to 1,800 meters above sea level. The cup is grounded and expressive. Walnut cookie sets a warm, baked foundation. Cherry brings a bright, clean fruit note that lifts the mid-palate. Dark chocolate carries through to a long, satisfying finish that keeps the cup composed and easy to return to.
This is the kind of coffee that feels earned, by the producer, by the cooperative, and by the relationships that made it possible to bring it here.
Profile
- Roast: Medium
- Region: Chirinos, Cajamarca, Peru
- Farm: Dionisio Chinguel Peña (PAWQARA Cooperative)
- Process: Washed
- Elevation: 1,700–1,800 MASL
- Variety: Caturra
- Cup: Walnut Cookie, Cherry, Dark Chocolate
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Burundi –– Busambo