CCOCHAPATA | GEISHA WASHED

Origin: Inkawasi, Peru
Farm: Ccochapata
Producer: Froelan Llocclla Castro
Variety: Gesha
Process: Washed
Altitude: 2,380 masl
Harvest: September – November

The Story
Every now and then, a coffee comes along that reminds us why we do this. This washed Gesha from Ccochapata is one of those coffees and without a doubt, one of our absolute favorites of the year.

Froelan Llocclla Castro is the heart and hands behind this lot. At 37, he's a father of two and splits his time between his farm in Amaybamba and his family in Andahuaylas, eight hours away. His dedication runs deep—both to coffee and to the people he loves.

Though his journey with specialty coffee is still young, Froelan is no stranger to the land. He learned the craft from his father, who once farmed traditional varieties like Typica, Caturra, and Catimor at a time when coffee was traded for food or clothing, with no real knowledge of quality or cupping. That changed when a local cooperative formed in 2005, introducing new standards and offering education and opportunities to farmers like Froelan and his family.

In 2021, Froelan received 1.5 hectares of land through a municipal program designed to support specialty coffee. He named his farm Ccochapata, after the nearby lagoon, and began cultivating 2,100 Gesha trees on just one hectare—leaving the rest untouched for now, until he fully understands how his Gesha performs.

In 2024, Froelan’s first harvest—just 92kg of parchment—was enough to turn heads. He entered a local competition alongside finalists from the Cup of Excellence, placing 10th with a stunning score of 89.3. A small start, but a powerful one.

The Process
Cherries are harvested selectively at peak ripeness, then floated to remove defects. The beans are depulped with most mucilage left on, and fermented in tanks for around 36 hours. After washing, the coffee is dried on solar beds for 10–12 days depending on the weather, reaching 10.5–11% humidity. Finally, the parchment is cooled in the shade before being packed in polypropylene bags.

 Tasting Notes:
Honeysuckle, yellow peach, lemon