COMITÉ: EL DIAMANTE

 We established this Comité four years ago, two years after the onset of our working relationship with Israel Contreras. In those days, Israel would bring us cuyes (guinea pigs) every two weeks. And just as he once provided us with this great food, he is now bringing great coffee to a wider audience! His Pache mutation, with its lovely floral profile, garners praise whenever it graces a cupping table. On a broader level, Origin has helped establish best practices in the area, helping local farmers deliver a markedly improved product. The farmers here have become so proficient that they are now planting exotic varieties, including Geisha. We look forward to the first harvest of those crops next year. Israel Contreras and another local producer, Onias Guerrero, are exceptional producers and among the most humble, good-natured people with whom we have worked. Their ready adaptation to quality-driven practices-- including shade growth and innovative washing techniques-- illustrates this comité’s room for growth, even for members without a coffee-growing background. Further improvements in infrastructure promise to elevate this region’s coffee to among Peru’s most renowned.