ESPRECHELON - our seasonal, single-origin house espresso ///

Origin - Peru

Region - Callayuc, Cajamarca

Process - Washed / 48h anaerobic

Producer - Ismeria León / Finca La Lúcuma

Altitude - 2250m

Variety - Caturra

Tasting notes - Red apple, blackberry, yuzu

Suggested espresso recipe - 17g in / 36g out / 28 seconds

For the tenth edition of Esprechelon we wanted to do something celebratory and use the opportunity to spotlight two incredible female producers from Peru’s northern Cajamarca region. Ismeria and Merly León are coffee-growing sisters from the mountains of Callayuc, both of whom produce exceptional coffees on their small farms. For the first of this double-release, we have a superb lot from Ismeria.

Ismeria’s farm, La Lúcuma, is situated at 2250 metres above sea level. Her coffee career began in 2015 when she, together with her sister and neighbours, realised that the rich soils, abundant sunshine and cool temperatures of their microclimate offered the perfect environment for growing coffee. Ever since, Ismeria has been driven to increase her knowledge and improve her practices, and is now garnering an excellent reputation for the quality of her coffee right through to her precise and considered processing.

Ismeria is a single mother of 4, and her eldest helps with the farm while the younger siblings focus on their studies. She takes immense pride in her 2 hectare farm, named after a lúcuma tree that grows at its centre, and is part of Aromas Del Valle, a cooperative with around 300 members. The co-op aims to enhance representation of these smaller farms, facilitate greater participation and enable access to funding.

For this lot, ripe cherries are floated to select the densest (highest quality) ones for processing. The cherries are then fermented anaerobically in sealed containers for 48 hours, pulped, fermented again for 42 hours, and then washed and dried on raised beds. Drying takes an average of 17-18 days.

“Every day I look around me and feel grateful for what surrounds me. My land, my children and the coffee that with effort we have made our own. I feel proud of who I am and what we are building together."

- Ismeria Leon