6 Best Peruvian Coffee Brands

The Reputation of Peruvian Coffee 

Peru is the third largest producer of coffee in South America (Brazil is #1, Colombia is #2). Situated on the West side of South America, Peru experiences a warm climate. Highly elevated regions within the Andes mountain range are ideal for the growth of coffee. Peruvian coffee has a very respectable reputation in the world of specialty coffee. With such extensive coffee production from a variety of areas, Peru has plenty of options to offer. We have compiled a list of our picks for the 6 best Peruvian coffee brands!

Here's a quick summary of our picks for best Peruvian coffee!

The Coffee

Available As...

Chanchamayo


Volcanica Peruvian Coffee

Roast: Medium

Taste: Complex, floral, nutty and citrus notes

Cenfrocafe


Peruvian Coffee Peru Centrocafe Coffee Whole Bean

Roast: Medium

Taste: Complex, notes of nuts, caramel & herbs

Cajamarca


Peruvian Coffee Peru Cajamarca Coffee Whole Bean

Roast: Medium

Taste: Sweet, notes of almond & milk chocolate

Organic Andes


Peruvian Coffee Peru Organic Coffee Whole Bean

Roast: Medium

Taste: Rich, caramel, nutty & smoky notes

San Ignacio


Peruvian Coffee Peru San Ignacio Coffee Whole Bean

Roast: Dark

Taste: Rich, notes of nuts & cocoa

Cajamarca Decaf


Peruvian Decaf

Roast: Medium

Taste: Rich, notes of almond & chocolate

Can't decide? All of these Peruvian beans are great options, but if we absolutely HAD had to pick one, it would be Volcanica's Chanchamayo coffee!

Peruvian Coffee Beans

Peruvian coffee is among the best to come out of the Americas!


Peruvian Coffee Taste Profile

You can expect your Peruvian coffee to display at least a few of these trademark qualities;

  • Notes of nuts, chocolate, fruit or caramel
  • Smooth, rich, and often complex
  • Citrus-toned acidity
  • Strong aromatic qualities
  • Fruity or nutty sweetness

Peruvian Coffee Growing Regions

Peru has several well known coffee growing regions spread across the country. The high altitude of the Andes mountain range is a large contributing factor to the high quality of Peruvian beans. Chanchamayo coffee tends to have the best reputation, but other Peruvian growing regions also produce beans that are worth your attention.

Chanchamayo Coffee

The province of Chanchamayo is situated in Central Peru. Chanchamayo coffee beans are very highly regarded, considered to be some of the finest to come out of Peru. This region benefits from an ideal climate and the high elevations of the Andes mountain range. Chanchamayo beans are classified as high grown. Chanchamayo coffee typically exhibits notes of chocolate and nuts and a citrus-toned acidity. Volcanica's product from this region is one of the best Peruvian coffees available!

Cajamarca Coffee

The Cajamarca region is located in the Northern highlands of Peru. The Northern portion of the Andes mountain range extends throughout this region. The mild climate and fertile soils contribute to optimal coffee growing conditions. While not quite as highly regarded as Chanchamayo, coffee from Cajamarca is definitely worth checking out.

Peru Machu Picchu

No discussion of Peru is complete without a picture of Machu Picchu!


Cenfrocafe Cooperative 

Peru is home to a number of cooperative associations, the most notable of which is Cenfrocafe. Cenfrocafe was founded in 1999, and began with just over 200 coffee farms. Cenfrocafe now serves over 2000 farms spread across Cajamarca! The collective output of coffee by this cooperative is 100% fair trade and nearly 100% organic. The marketing by Cenfrocafe has led to an increase in demand for Peruvian coffee in general. Cenfrocafe benefits numerous family owned farms, and also provides an incentive to produce a higher quality product. It’s truly a win-win situation!

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Peruvian Coffee History

The history of coffee in Peru dates back to the 18th century when coffee was first introduced to the country. Coffee cultivation in Peru began in the late 1700s and has since become an important agricultural industry.

Coffee plants were brought to Peru from neighboring countries, primarily from Brazil and Colombia. The country's diverse microclimates, ranging from coastal areas to high-altitude mountain regions, provide suitable conditions for coffee cultivation.

Coffee production in Peru initially started in small-scale farms owned by indigenous communities and local farmers. These farmers recognized the potential of coffee as a cash crop and began cultivating coffee plants on a modest scale.

During the 19th century, coffee production in Peru experienced significant growth. The government encouraged coffee cultivation and supported the industry's development by providing incentives to farmers. The coastal regions, particularly the provinces of Chanchamayo and Quillabamba, became known for their coffee production.

Peru faced challenges in the early 20th century due to political instability, economic downturns, and global market fluctuations. These factors affected coffee production and exports. However, the country's coffee industry remained resilient, and efforts were made to revitalize and promote Peruvian coffee internationally.

In recent decades, Peru has seen a resurgence in its coffee industry, gaining recognition in the global specialty coffee market. Peru places an emphasis on sustainable and organic coffee production. Many farmers cultivate coffee using environmentally friendly practices, including shade-grown coffee and organic farming methods. Fair trade and direct trade relationships have also become prominent, ensuring that coffee farmers receive fair prices for their crops.

The growth of coffee tourism has also allowed visitors to experience Peruvian coffee culture firsthand, with opportunities to visit coffee farms, participate in cupping sessions, and learn about coffee production processes.


The Best Peruvian Coffee Brands

Without further adieu, here is our list of the 6 best Peruvian beans. We hope that you find something new that catches your interest!


1. Chanchamayo Coffee

Roasted By: Volcanica Coffee


Roast: Medium

Taste: Complex, floral, nutty & citrus notes

First up we have Volcanica's Chanchamayo coffee. Considered by many to be the finest Peruvian coffee, Chanchamayo coffee is a must try for all coffee lovers! These beans give off a sweet, room-filling aroma. This flavor profile includes notes citrus & nuts and is distinguished from most Peruvian coffees by floral overtones. There is a reason that these beans are so highly reputed. You need to taste it to understand!

Drip, Espresso & French Press Grinds available.

Not available as single serve


2. Cenfrocafe Coffee

Roasted By: Cubico Coffee


Roast: Medium

Taste: Rich, notes of nuts, caramel & herbs

Remember Cenfrocafe? Here's a great example of what this wonderful cooperative provides. This organic coffee is complex, balancing a number of distinct aspects. You'll want more than one cup to really appreciate everything that is going on here! Notes of caramel, herbs & roasted nuts can all be tasted. A toffee-toned sweetness and a bright citrus-toned acidity both add another layer to this coffee. An interesting, crisp aftertaste includes hints of herbs. Highly recommended!

Not available as single serve


3. Cajamarca Coffee

Roasted By: RhoadsRhoast Coffee


Roast: Medium

Taste: Sweet, notes of almond & milk chocolate

These beans come the vast region of Cajamarca. RhoadsRhoast deserves a lot of praise for their environmentally friendly practices. These beans are organic, shade grown and fair trade. This coffee is naturally sweet, with notes of nuts & chocolate. A mild, fruity acidity is present in the background. Cajamarca beans offer a wide variety of flavor profiles, as is showcased here! 

Not available as ground coffee

Not available as single serve


4. Organic Andes Coffee

Roasted By: White Coffee


Roast: Medium

Taste: Rich, caramel, nutty & smoky notes

These organic Peruvian coffee beans are grown in the Northern portion of the Andes mountain range. The high altitude and rich soils in which these beans are grown contribute to their high quality. This coffee is rich, with notes of caramel & nuts. A strong woody smell and a smoky sweetness help to distinguish this taste profile from most Peruvian coffees. This coffee finishes clean and smooth, never becoming bitter. These beans also make for a great espresso shot!

Not available as ground coffee

Not available as single serve


5. San Ignacio Coffee

Roasted By: Cafe Altura


Roast: Dark

Taste: Rich, notes of nuts & cocoa

San Ignacio is a province within the Cajamarca region that is well known for coffee. Cafe Altura works with a large number of family owned farms. Their coffee is all organic, fair trade, and environmentally friendly. Notes of cocoa & nuts are nicely accentuated by the dark roast here. This coffee is low in acidity and has a nice light, slightly sweet finish. If you're a dark roast fan, San Ignacio coffee is a must try!

Not available as ground coffee

Not available as single serve


6. Decaf Cajamarca Coffee

Roasted By: Fresh Roasted Coffee


Roast: Medium

Taste: Rich, notes of almond & chocolate

Lastly, here's one for decaf drinkers! This coffee also comes from the region of Cajamarca. These beans are organic, fair trade and bird-friendly. This coffee is rich & creamy, with notes of almond & chocolate. The acidity here is low and the finish is sweet. It can sometimes be difficult to find a high quality decaf specialty coffee... look no further! These beans also make a great tasting espresso. You can enjoy as many shots as you want without overdoing the caffeine!


And there you have it, our 6 best Peruvian coffees. Hopefully you found something new that sounds worthy to you!

What is your favorite Peruvian coffee? Did we miss something that deserves to be in our list? Let us know!

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