Peru, Reserva La Margarita, Geisha, Washed

Reserva La Margarita is located in the lush outskirts of Cusco’s tropical forest. The farm is 3.5 ha large and operated by all generations of the Solorzano family, many of whom have parallel coffee careers in Peru. The farm lies on a steep hill, hidden away beneath the shade of native lemon, banana and macadamia trees, where the air feels pleasantly cool in comparison to open land. La Margarita has gained a lot of recognition in the previous years for their efforts to promote biodiversity and in particular their reforestation program. 

This Geisha microlot was grown at 1900 masl. After hand-picking, the cherries are brought to the processing unit where they are pulped and fermented for 16 hours. The coffee is then partially dried and fermented a second time, now for 36 hours, after which it is laid out to dry on six-tier steel beds. Parchment is evenly spread to ensure an even drying process, which takes 22 days. By interrupting the fermentation process, the parchment takes a longer time to dry and this notably enhances the sweetness and complexity in the cup.

This coffee was sourced through our importing partner Sucafina. MOK visited Reserva La Margarita in 2024 and has continued to buy excellent coffee from them ever since.

Sourced from the Cusco region of Peru, this Reserva La Margarita lot is produced by the Solorzano family. As a washed-process coffee, it highlights the meticulous preparation required to maintain clarity and brightness in the cup. The coffee features the Geisha varietal, a plant globally recognized for its distinct profile and elegant structure. By utilizing the washed process, the producers emphasize the inherent characteristics of the bean, allowing the terroir of the 1900 masl landscape to shine through without the influence of fruit fermentation often found in other methods.

Roasted by MOK Coffee, this selection offers a refined look at Peruvian specialty production. When evaluating the nuances of such a high-altitude Geisha, tasters often find it helpful to reference a flavor wheel to identify the delicate aromatic compounds and acidity levels typical of this esteemed variety. This lot represents a focused effort to showcase the potential of the Solorzano family’s harvest.