The lovely lady pictured above is Maria Alberca. Born in 1954 into a farming family, Maria brings a lifetime of hands-on agricultural knowledge to her coffee production. After moving to El Huaco, Cajamarca, she began growing coffee, working closely with her sons on neighbouring farms.
Maria has steadily refined her approach to cultivation, processing and drying, with a strong focus on quality and consistency. Ripe cherries are carefully selected before undergoing a traditional washed process, which includes 48 hours of fermentation and attentive washing to create a clean, balanced cup.
Drying is slow and controlled on raised beds, helping to maintain stable water activity and preserve clarity and sweetness in the final coffee. The result is a beautifully expressive profile with vibrant notes of pineapple, cascara and red currant, carried by a juicy sweetness and polished finish.
Maria's dedication to her work shines through in both her story, and the cup — a wonderful and well deserved reflection of the care she pours into every harvest.
