Maribel Herrera Torres is a coffee producer from San Antonio, Huabal. She owns two hectares of land and grows Caturra and Catuai. Maribel now processes all her coffee as naturals, having found this method improves quality compared to washed or honey processes. She and her family pick the ripe cherries, wash them thoroughly, and dry them on lined patios for 25 days.

Huabal

Huabal, in the Jaén province of Cajamarca, is one of our strongest areas for both membership and quality. The district has huge potential for coffee, but poor infrastructure means many producers lack the resources and knowledge to fully realize it. Altitudes range from 1,200 to 2,100 masl, with most producers we work with above 1,800 masl.

Many farmers previously replanted with Catimors, promoted by the government and multinational buyers. While these can perform well at some altitudes, they generally produce low yields and poor quality at higher elevations. With better premiums for quality, more producers are now replanting with Caturra, Bourbon, and Catuai, which, with proper management and fertilization, produce higher yields and better cup quality

Huabal is composed of multiple villages, each a center of coffee production. The district spans several mountains, resulting in varied climates and soils—from wet, humid areas with red, clay-like soils to dry, hot zones. This diversity contributes to complex and distinctive cup profiles.

Peru Overview

Da diversi anni ci riforniamo di caffè di specialità nel Perù settentrionale, costruendo relazioni durature con cooperative e associazioni. Sebbene la qualità all’arrivo sia stata generalmente buona, abbiamo faticato a influenzare i miglioramenti nella catena di approvvigionamento. Inoltre, i premi spesso non raggiungevano direttamente i produttori.

We have sourced specialty coffee in Northern Peru for several years, building lasting relationships with cooperatives and associations. While arrival quality has generally been good, we struggled to influence improvements in the supply chain. Additionally, premiums often did not reach producers directly.
Like in other origins, Peruvian coffee farmers are sensitive to market changes and often lack training or incentive to produce higher-quality coffee, as promised premiums frequently fail to materialize. To address this, we now buy directly from producers through a warehouse in Jaén, ensuring quality control and full financial traceability. This approach allows us to pay higher prices while guaranteeing fair compensation above market rates.

The Cajamarca region has ideal growing conditions and excellent varieties, but quality is often lost during picking, processing, and drying due to limited infrastructure and knowledge. The most vulnerable producers are the unassociated—about 75% of Northern Peru’s farmers—who lack access to training, certifications, or quality premiums. They often sell to local intermediaries at low prices, resulting in lost income and reduced coffee quality.

By sourcing directly, we can build long-term relationships with farmers, improve coffee quality, and increase household incomes through access to quality premiums.

https://falconcoffees.smugmug.com/PERU/PERU-Maribel-Herrera-Torres