Fredeslinda Calle / Peru

We met producers from northern Cajamarca, Peru through Origin Coffee Lab (OCL), a coffee exporter based in the town of Jaén—a hub of the regional coffee industry.

The Agua Cristalina farm is located in the San Ignacio area, near the border with Ecuador, about 3–4 hours north of Jaén. The landscape here shifts toward subtropical forests and lush mountains, with breathtaking scenery. The steep slopes quickly reminded us why a 4WD vehicle is essential for these visits.

Situated at an altitude of 1,700–1,800 meters, this farm benefits from an ideal climate for high-quality coffee production. Coffee is cultivated on 5.5 hectares entirely by hand. The farm grows Caturra, Bourbon, and Geisha in roughly equal proportions, with a small amount of Catuaí. In addition to the family, five people work on the farm.

Most of the coffee produced here is washed and processed at a small beneficio in front of the family’s home. Fermentation tanks are lined with polished Majolica tiles, and drying takes place on elevated parabolic dryers with excellent airflow. The view from the drying beds is stunning. Fredeslinda and her husband Milquiades live on the farm, traveling to the nearby town as needed. They have three children, and we had the pleasure of sharing a meal with the two younger ones during our visit.

Around the home, dogs, cats, chickens, and cows roam freely. Organic matter such as manure and leftover food is composted and reused as fertilizer for the coffee trees. True to the name Agua Cristalina—“Crystal-Clear Water”—a pristine stream runs alongside the farm, with beautiful water sources upstream. During the tour, Milquiades’ deep affection for the coffee, the surrounding environment, and his family was clear in every gesture.