balcones "especial", san ignacio, peru

Balcones is a cooperative of smallholder coffee farmers in Amazonas, North Peru. They were founded in 1968 with just 36 members. They have now grown to over 390 farmers, 30% women, from several communities in Cajamarca region.

Post-harvest processing is undertaken by each smallholder, in small pulping machines, followed by a period of fermentation in lined tanks. Experimentation with different procedures enables farmers to craft and innovate to influence the cup quality they produce. Farmers have learned how each activity at the processing level, can influence the flavour attributes of their coffee. They receive feedback from the trained Q Graders at the co-operative cupping lab. We pay an additional quality premium to farmers producing this high scoring lot.

As this co-operative is also Fairtrade certified, a separate FLO premium paid to the co-operative by buyers has been invested in many projects, but most notable is a highly organized thoroughly researched organic composting system. This is comprised of nitrogen rich manure produced from guinea pigs, mixed with composted coffee cherry, cow manure and honey water from coffee processing. This is mixed with EM (Extra-ordinary Microorganism) to increase rate of decomposition. This organic compost facility is the powerhouse for successful organic crop production and is critical to ensure that farmers produce sustainable yields and continue to maintain soil in peak condition.