Peru, Gregorio Espinoza

FARM : Finca Voller

REGION : Pasco

ALTITUDE : 1,750 MASL

VARIETAL : Red Catuai

PROCESS : Black Honey

FLAVOUR NOTES : Red Apple, Citrus Fruits, Dark Chocolate

Gregorio Espinoza is a second-generation coffee producer from the Pozuzo district of Peru's Pasco region. Inspired by his father, who first planted coffee in the 1970s, Gregorio has spent over 30 years developing the family farm while remaining rooted in its traditions. Today, he works alongside his sons, Gregorio Jr. and Jimi. After gaining reliable internet access in 2016, the family embraced experimental processing, learning through online courses and connecting with producers worldwide. They have since become some of the most innovative coffee producers we have encountered. Finca Voller covers 10 hectares, with seven dedicated to coffee, growing varieties including Red Catuai, Geisha, Pacamara, Obata, Maragogipe, Typica and Caturra. This lot was harvested at around 23° Brix before a 36-hour anaerobic fermentation. It was then pulped for a Black Honey process, fermented for a further 36 hours, dried in solar dryers for nine days and rested for 30 days. Gregorio's commitment to quality and innovation continues to shape a sustainable future for his family and community.

Produced by Gregorio Espinoza in the Pasco region of Peru, this Red Catuai lot showcases the meticulous craft of the Hundred House Coffee team. Grown at 1750 masl, the coffee undergoes a black honey process, a technique where the mucilage is left on the bean during drying to encourage deeper sweetness and complexity. Generally, processing methods like this can significantly influence the final cup profile, often resulting in a richer body and more pronounced sugars compared to washed counterparts.

In the cup, this selection presents a balanced interplay of red apple and citrus fruits, grounded by a distinct dark chocolate finish. To better understand how these specific descriptors fit into the broader spectrum of coffee profiles, you can reference the flavor wheel. This offering serves as a compelling example of the potential found in the Pasco region when specific varietals are paired with precise, intensive post-harvest handling.