Release No. 5 | Nancy Mendoza Washed Geisha

Roasting on 4/18/25

Producer: Nancy Mendoza

Origin: Peru

Region: Cajamarca

Varietal: Geisha

Altitude: 1800-1900 masl

Process: Washed

Processing info: Nancy’s Gesha was grown between 1800-1900 masl at El Pedregal in Cajamarca, Peru. It was then hand-picked and sorted for ripeness in August 2024. After being picked, it was pulped and fermented in plastic for 12 hours. Then it was washed, and dried on tarps on the roof of her home for 12-15 days.

From the Alpes Andinos cooperative produced and grown by Nancy Mendoza. Nancy Mendoza is a third generation coffee farmer. Residing in Cajamarca, Peru, Nancy started growing Gesha on her two Hectare farm after receiving the seeds from one of her friends in Costa Rica. Nancy did this in order to achieve more reasonable prices for her coffees.

Why this coffee stood out to us: While looking for a coffee for our next release, we wanted to find something that represented the best of an origin. Ever since we started our coffee journey, we have always enjoyed incredible coffees from Peru. Peruvian coffees have long been viewed and traded as commodity grade or low grade specialty “blender” coffees. However, within the last five years, we have seen a drastic uptick in the investment in, and the cup quality, of Peruvian coffees. From exotic and rare varietals like Gesha, Pacamara, and the elusive SL-9, to  well processed clean and complex Red Bourbons, Typica, and Caturra. Peru is a very special origin with vast flavor profiles and ever increasing cup qualities.

We reached out to Joel and Frank, our friends from Yellow Rooster Coffee Importers, who have been working with producers and farmers  for the last 5 years pertaining to Peruvian coffees. Their main goal being: Bringing delicious Peruvian coffees to the US market. They believe, as we do, that Peruvian coffee has long been over looked in the world coffee market. We believe that Peruvian producers and growers deserve recognition for these special coffees that they have put so much work into.

This washed Geisha from Nancy Mendoza is a perfect representation of the growth and excellence that we have been seeing and tasting from Peru in the last few years.

Tasting Notes

• Pink Lemonade
• Mandarin
• Pineapple
• White florals
• Elegant, Juicy, Clean

What to expect in the cup: We chose this specific coffee for our next release for its dynamic light tropical acidity and floral quality in the cup. This coffee has pronounced tropical sweet acidity and floral qualities that blew us away. When hot we taste a fresh pink lemonade with a sweet pineapple acidity and a light tropical sweetness reminiscent of mandarin orange. When this coffee is warm the sweetness of the mandarin orange comes into the forefront of the cup while intense florals reminiscent of rose and jasmine come into the picture. As this coffee is cooling, it really starts to become dynamic. The sweetness starts to takeover the cup in the form of a juicy pineapple and mandarin orange, while florals like honeysuckle and rose are present as well. This coffee is very light and dynamic, combining bright tropical acidity and juicy sweetness, all while being clean and fruit forward.

As we’ve cupped and brewed this coffee we’ve picked up on sensory notes like the ones mentioned as well as jasmine, yuzu, blackberry, and some rose and lavender florals. We can’t wait for you to enjoy it as much as we have.

Again, we recommend resting this coffee for at least 3 weeks post roast date to ensure that this coffee has enough time to be as tasty as possible.