Peru Las Damas de San Ignacio Fair Trade + Organic

From the highlands of San Ignacio, where a women's cooperative is rewriting Peru's coffee story. Fair Trade certified, organically grown, and proof that gender equity and exceptional quality grow from the same soil.

Organic Fair Trade Women-Led Origin Peru Region San Ignacio Elevation 1,500-1,750m Process Washed Variety Caturra, Typica, Catimor The Source

San Ignacio's premier growing area

San Ignacio sits within Cajamarca's southern coffee belt, recognized as one of Peru's premier specialty growing areas. The combination of high altitude, volcanic soils, and distinct wet and dry seasons creates ideal conditions for developing the clean, balanced profiles Peru has become known for.

This coffee comes from COOPAFSI (Cooperative Agraria "Frontera San Ignacio" Ltda), officially established in June 1969 with founding principles centered on gender equality and community investment. When the cooperative purchased and divided land among producers, gender equality wasnt an afterthought—it was the foundation. Today, 30% of COOPAFSI's 300 members are women who cultivate Caturra, Typica, Mundo Novo, and Catimor varieties at 1,500 to 1,750 meters elevation.

Context

The Ladies of San Ignacio lead the way

Las Damas de San Ignacio—"The Ladies of San Ignacio"—represents a women's committee within COOPAFSI created in 2016 and now includes more than 100 female farmers dedicated to producing specialty-grade coffee while building leadership and empowerment for women in Peru's coffee sector.

This committee is responsible for distributing financial loans that enable producers to improve their land, develop their kitchens, enhance their craft production, and upgrade their livestock operations. They've created a community computer lab, allowing all members to stay current with modern technology and market information. For nine years, the program has helped women receive loans to improve their homes and farmsteads—installing indoor plumbing, providing better conditions for livestock, and creating economic independence. Fellow producers are convinced that the physical and sensory quality of Las Damas coffee results from the unique perspective and understanding these women bring to every stage of cultivation and processing.

The Craft

Washed with meticulous care

The vast majority of Peru's coffee gets washed, and many producers own their own wet-milling equipment, allowing precise control over processing. Cherries are depulped the same day they're harvested, then given a 12 to 18-hour open-air fermentation before being washed clean of mucilage.

This careful timing matters. Too short and the mucilage stays sticky. Too long and fermentation overtakes the clean profile. Las Damas farmers have perfected the window, producing fully-washed, patio-dried coffee that expresses the terroir clearly while maintaining the gentle sweetness Peru is loved for.

Caramel Milk Chocolate Orange Red Apple Body Medium Acidity Mild The Cup

Smooth with character

Caramel sweetness opens the cup—smooth, inviting, comforting. Milk chocolate follows, adding depth without bitterness. Orange citrus brings gentle brightness that lifts the mid-palate, while red apple notes add fruity complexity as the cup cools. The medium body feels full but never heavy, and the mild acidity creates the kind of approachable smoothness that works for every coffee drinker. This is coffee that delivers consistency and quality in equal measure—proof that cooperative models focused on equity produce exceptional results.

Find Your Fix

The balanced profile rewards every brewing method. Pour-over with V60 or Chemex at 1:16 ratio highlights the orange and apple brightness while preserving the caramel sweetness. Drip brewing creates an easy morning cup that emphasizes the chocolate and caramel notes. This coffee also works beautifully as espresso—pull shots at 1:2 ratio for concentrated sweetness that pairs perfectly with milk drinks.

Roasted in small batches at our Virginia Beach roastery, where the Atlantic air reminds us daily of the journeys these beans make to reach your cup.

Virginia Beach, VA