Vituya, Espresso - Peru

For Alfonso Tejada Iberico and his wife, Karim Rosario Araoz Grandez, Finca Timbuyacu is much more than a coffee farm. It is the foundation of a family legacy, a model for sustainable agriculture and a place where local producers come to learn and share knowledge.

Alfonso inherited the farm from his mother, who inherited it from her mother, Eleodora Mori de Ibérico. In 2010, Alfonso and Karim sold their travel agency in Lima and returned to Timbuyacu to establish their Nueva Esperanza project. Their ambition was not only to build a successful farm, but to create a model that could help improve the livelihoods and coffee quality of smallholder producers throughout the region.

Farmers can visit Finca Timbuyacu to learn about cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest practices, including fermentation, washing and different drying techniques. The farm also serves as a demonstration site for soil conservation and sustainable agriculture. Partner producers are encouraged to plant shade trees and hedges, establish contour lines to reduce erosion and adopt practices that protect soil health.

The 68-hectare farm demonstrates a strong commitment to conservation. Around 38 hectares are maintained as forest reserve, protecting native flora and fauna while safeguarding the farm's lake and natural waterways. The remaining land supports coffee alongside crops including cassava, bananas, beans, vegetables, oranges and pineapples.

Coffee cherries are selectively hand-picked before being pulped. The parchment then undergoes 18–24 hours of fermentation, followed by washing with clean water. Drying takes place on raised beds or terraces, where the parchment is regularly turned to ensure even drying. Drying takes approximately 15–20 days. Once dried, the parchment is stored on wooden pallets at the farm for around 60 days, allowing it to stabilise before being transported to the dry mill.

• Region: Amazonas
• Country: Peru
• Elevation: 1,400 - 2,000 masl
• Variety: Caturra, Catuai, Typica, Bourbon
• Process: Washed