APECAEL is an association of specialty coffee based in San Pedro de Vilcabamba, Loja. Its members are coffee producers who farm organically but who can’t afford a certificate for this - which costs roughly 30000 euros per year. All coffee is grown in the shade of native trees to preserve the forests and biodiversity, and plants are treated with homemade fertilizer that is free to use for all members. This lot is a mix of Typica, Caturra, San Salvador and Castillo and is grown between 1700 and 2000 masl. This diversity in variety and altitude are what make up the complex cup profile. When the cherries arrive at the APECAEL washing station, they are first sorted, then pulped and fermented in water in large concrete tanks for 24 hours. The coffee is then washed once more with as little water as possible and laid out to dry on African beds inside polytunnels - a type of circular greenhouse with a plastic sheet - until the desired humidity is reached.

Sourced through our import partner Makicuna.