Rutas del Inca
$17.00
Origin: Chota Province, Peru
What we taste: Malted Chocolate, Nutmeg, Dates
The organization Ruta del Inca weathered a lot of instability in 2020 due to corruption, the death of org members, and COVID-19. The organization began turning around when they partnered with the Progreso Foundation. The Progreso Foundation brought leadership with an emphasis on accountability and technical training. The organization quickly grew - shipping eight containers in 2021, 22 in 2022, and then 31 in 2023! Trust was regained, and Rutas del Inca began to thrive! The new stability allowed Ruta to focus on quality. An agroforestry program was launched for their highest-elevation partner-farms, and they introduced gesha and bourbon varietals, training, and infrastructure improvements for post-harvest processing. They also installed 20 reservoirs to supply water during the dry season and trout year-round for the households to eat. The reach of Ruta del Inca has flourished- with 326 members across Querocoto, Huambos, Querocotillp, and Llama. Ruta del Inca is a great example of how governance, social programs, and agronomic investments can really transform a cooperative. We’ve been loving this coffee at the roastery- it has a well-rounded body with a pleasant acidity that complements this coffee’s sweetness. During our tastings, we were getting notes of rich malted chocolate, warming nutmeg, and sweet notes of dates!
