PERU - CHURUPAMPA - ORGANIC - G1 WASHED

Eber Tocto, the son of Peruvian coffee producers, never expected to return to his family's farm, but fate had other plans. As one of the first Q Grader certified cuppers in Peru's budding specialty coffee industry, Eber gained experience working in various roles across the coffee sector, including at a dry mill, an importing company, and a producer cooperative. However, in 2011, Eber and his brothers felt a pull back to their roots and began encouraging their father to modernize the family farm, Finca Churupampa, with a focus on specialty coffee.

They planted diverse coffee varieties and committed to organic and ecologically sustainable production. The initial harvest in 2014 marked the beginning of something extraordinary. As the years passed, more producers were inspired by the Tocto family’s vision, and what started with a small group soon grew to 46 members by the following year. Today, Finca Churupampa has blossomed into a community of 180 coffee farmers in the stunningly located Chirinos area, perched on a ridge in the Andes at 1900 meters above sea level.

The farms in Chirinos are nestled on impressive mountain slopes, offering breathtaking views that stretch into the horizon. Here, the members of Finca Churupampa grow, process, and dry their coffee at home before bringing it to the purchase point in Chirinos. Each lot undergoes meticulous weighing, sampling, and cupping for quality and profile designation. During the harvest season, the Churupampa lab buzzes with activity as producers cup their own coffees and receive immediate feedback on their lots.

Finca Churupampa serves as the heart of this thriving organization. Eber and his brothers use their family farm as a model to demonstrate innovative harvest and post-harvest processing techniques. They have experimented with various drying setups to find the most effective and economical methods for others to adopt. The Toctos advocate for growing traditional coffee varieties like Caturra, Bourbon, and Typica and emphasize organic fertilizers and soil health to combat pests and diseases.

Eber’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond coffee. The family farm also serves as a source of nourishment, with an abundant vegetable garden that supports the local community. Over the years, as the business grew, the Finca Churupampa team invested in expanding their purchasing station and lab and renovating their coffee warehouse.

In 2017, Eber spearheaded the development of an organic compost system, a project that quickly expanded to other small farms within the Churupampa community. By 2021, 28 members had constructed their own compost plants, producing organic fertilizers that contribute to nutrient-rich and productive soil. Eber also developed a method to pelletize the compost for more efficient distribution. All these efforts are driven by a shared belief that the farmers of Chirinos can produce exceptional, high-quality coffee while protecting their environment.

Finca Churupampa’s journey, rooted in the Tocto Bermeo family, is a testament to resilience, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability. The farm has evolved into a beacon of leadership and quality in the specialty coffee industry, with its influence reaching far beyond the borders of Chirinos.