Peru Coffee
Peru's smallholder farms produce mostly organic, fair-trade-certified coffee with gentle acidity and broad approachability.
- Typical flavor
- Mild, sweet, balanced
- Altitude
- 1,200–2,000m
- Harvest
- June–October
- Processing
- Washed · Natural
Growing regions
- Cajamarca
- Cusco
- Junín
- San Martín
- Amazonas
Common varieties
- Typica
- Bourbon
- Caturra
- Catimor
A bit of history
Peru is one of the world's largest exporters of organic coffee. Co-ops in Cajamarca and Cusco link thousands of smallholder farmers to the specialty market with strong fair-trade and certification frameworks.
What to know about Peru coffee
Peru's specialty profile is built around smallholder cooperatives. The country's high-altitude eastern slopes — Cajamarca, Amazonas, San Martín — sit at the edge of the Amazon basin and produce coffee with gentle acidity and approachable sweetness rather than the bright structure of East African origins. Most Peruvian coffee on the specialty market is dual-certified organic and fair trade because farms are typically too small to justify synthetic inputs and co-op infrastructure makes certification economical. Single-farm Peruvian microlots are increasingly available and tend to outperform the co-op blends in terms of clarity and origin character.
Best brew methods for Peru
- Daily drinkers
- Organic blends
- Smooth drip coffee
4 coffees from Peru
Keys Koffee
NITRO - Organic Peru - Medium Roast
Peru · Medium · Washed
Caramel, Cream, Pecan
Barr Coffee
Peru (Norandino) - Washed
Peru · Light · Washed
Citrus, Orchard Fruit, Chocolate
Swamp Water Roasting Co.
Falling Iguana (Vol II) - Peru WP decaf, Organically Sourced
Peru · Medium · Washed
Floral, Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar
Double Barrel Roasters
Organic Peru RFA
Peru · Medium · Washed
Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar, Nutty
Roasters sourcing Peru
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Peruvian coffee mostly organic?
Many Peruvian smallholders farm without synthetic inputs because of cost and tradition, then formalize that practice through organic certification. Certified-organic and fair-trade Peruvians are widely available.
Is Peruvian coffee bright or smooth?
Mostly smooth — gentle acidity, mild sweetness, light body. It is a great everyday coffee and pairs well with milk-based drinks.
Best brew method?
Drip and French press for everyday drinking. Pour over highlights the cleaner washed coffees from Cajamarca and Amazonas.