Peru, Hilber Arevalo | Geisha

Meet Hilber, a third-generation coffee grower carrying on HIS family business. With over 15 years of experience, he approaches coffee with a strong sense of responsibility—not just to quality, but to the land and traditions that support it. This focus on continuity and care reflects our own ethos, making this lot a meaningful first purchase for us. Cherries are handpicked at peak ripeness, carefully sorted, and gently pulped using well-calibrated equipment to maintain consistency and bean integrity from the outset.

 

This Ethiopian heirloom variety, grown in Peru, offers clear notes of lavender, passionfruit and peach, with a bright, lemonade-like acidity. After 20 hours of anaerobic fermentation and washing, the coffee is dried in a parabolic solar dryer, where it’s regularly turned for even drying and protected from the elements. The result is a clean, balanced cup that reflects the care taken at every stage.

This offering from Reuben Hills showcases a unique expression of the Ethiopian heirloom varietal cultivated by producer Hilber Arevalo in Peru. By utilizing an anaerobic processing method, the coffee undergoes a controlled fermentation that often intensifies the inherent characteristics of the bean, frequently resulting in a more pronounced acidity and complex fruit profile. In this specific lot, those techniques highlight vibrant notes of passionfruit, peach, and a distinct lemonade-like acidity, balanced by delicate floral undertones of lavender.

When evaluating such complex profiles, it is helpful to reference a flavor wheel to better identify the nuanced layers present in the cup. While anaerobic processing is known for pushing the boundaries of traditional flavor profiles, the combination of this specific varietal and the producer's careful post-harvest handling creates a distinct sensory experience that reflects the evolving landscape of Peruvian specialty coffee production.