Juan Peña manages all production from the farm.
The Landowners include: Segundo Cartuche | Jaime Cartuche | Gustavo Cartuche | Gonzalo Armijos | Isauro Salinas | Baltazar Contento | Patricio Suquilanda | Guillermo Armijos | Mesias Sandoval
- Climate Type: Dry Tropics
- Location: Andean Mountain Range, predominantly Saraguro Formation (flows into the Pacific Ocean)
- Altitude: 1800 – 2200 meters above sea level (MSL)
- Soil: Clay loam with moderate organic matter and good drainage; balanced fertilization is essential
- Water Source: Andean wetlands, ensuring purity and freshness
- Climate: 12 hours of daylight; high temperatures (20 – 30°C during the day, 15 – 20°C at night); seasonal rainfall concentrated in 2 months per year
- Topography: Irregular with slopes ranging from 30 – 90%
Cup Profile
- Complex, bright acidity with medium body
- Fruity, floral, chocolate, and cane sugar notes
- Clean and balanced, with tropical sweetness and freshness
Key Aspects
- Unique aromatic profile, combining fruity, floral, and chocolate notes
- Ideal for natural processing due to diverse yeast and microorganisms, enhancing sweetness and complexity
- High-altitude and well-managed agronomic practices contribute to a velvety and balanced mouthfeel
- In addition, the area has exceptional climatic characteristics for coffee production, such as an average luminosity of 12 hours per day, and temperatures that range between 20 and 30°C during the day, and between 15 and 20°C at night. This thermal pattern has a significant effect on the accumulation of sugars in the fruits, a phenomenon that is scientifically correlated with the altitude and genetics of the plants. This unique environment, which combines altitude, genetics and specific climatic conditions, allows for the development of an unmistakable flavor profile, characterized by a unique and balanced level of sweetness, with floral and fruity nuances.
- Finally, the climatic characteristics of the Andean region ensure a constant supply of high-purity water, a crucial factor in the wet coffee processing process, which contributes to a cleaner and more refined profile, surpassing the quality of other coffee producing regions in Ecuador and around the world.
Hacienda La Papaya Culture in surrounding communities
Saraguro, a town in Loja Province, southern Ecuador, is home to one of the most distinctive and well-preserved indigenous cultures in the country: the Saraguro people. Unlike many indigenous groups in Ecuador, the Saraguros have maintained their traditions, clothing, language, and social structures, making their culture a fascinating blend of ancient heritage and modern adaptations.
The Saraguro people are believed to be descendants of the Inca mitimaes, a group relocated by the Inca Empire from Bolivia and Peru to present-day Ecuador. The Inca moved them strategically to maintain control over newly conquered territories, and the Saraguros became an influential indigenous group in the region.
One of the most striking aspects of Saraguro culture is their traditional dress:
- Men typically wear black knee-length shorts, a black poncho, and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Women wear long black skirts (anaco), intricately woven blouses, and large beaded necklaces made of white and turquoise beads.
- Hats (sombreros de lana o paño): Men and women wear distinctive black or white wool hats, sometimes with polka dot patterns, symbolizing status and identity.
The preference for black clothing is believed to be linked to mourning for the lost Inca Empire, although it also has deeper spiritual meanings.
Saraguro communities are primarily agricultural, growing crops such as corn, potatoes, beans, and quinoa while also raising cattle, sheep, and llamas. They are known for their sustainable farming methods and communal work practices, such as minga (a collective labor system where the whole community helps with a project).
Many Saraguros are also involved in dairy farming, producing high-quality cheeses that are sold across Ecuador.
Saraguro culture is deeply connected to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and indigenous spirituality. Traditional ceremonies involve offerings to the earth, moon, and sun, and they celebrate the cycles of nature.
- Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun): One of the most important celebrations, honoring the sun and the agricultural cycle.
- Aya Uma & Shamans: Traditional healers (curanderos) and shamans play a crucial role in maintaining spiritual balance through rituals, herbal medicine, and energy cleansing ceremonies.
Music and dance are essential to Saraguro identity. Traditional Andean instruments such as the quena (flute), charango (small guitar), and bombo (drum) accompany folk dances during festivals. Their music often reflects themes of resistance, history, and gratitude to nature.Elders play an important role in passing down oral traditions, ensuring that stories, myths, and ancestral wisdom are not lost.
