PRODUCER RELINDA CHÁVEZ

In the Tintay Puncu district of Huancavelica, Peruvian coffee farmer Relinda Chávez bravely resists narcoterrorism and illicit coca leaf production. In 2021, her dedication was rewarded when Saba Café, founded by brothers Ricardo Poma and Oscar Martínez, began selling her coffee in Lima.

After being named Best Producer of the Year at the 2022 Summum Awards, her coffee story captivated us at Khipu Coffee, leading us to collaborate with Saba Café to bring her coffee to the UK.

Saba Café is committed to enhancing the quality and value of coffee produced by small farmers like Relinda by refining their production processes. Simple, low-cost improvements, such as better cherry sorting and pulping techniques, have significantly elevated the quality of Relinda’s coffee.

Sharing these methods with fellow producers Pelagio Benavente and his daughter Linda Benavente, they too strive for similar success.

Relinda’s, Café Paraiso, grows 90% Red Caturra and 10% Typica coffee varieties at 2,350 masl, one of the highest coffee farms in Peru!

The farm is named after the Quechua word Huayllaanakuy Waqta, meaning “the slope where they are to make hugs,” as it was a meeting place for Relinda’s family after years of exile due to terrorist violence.

In 2023, Saba Café aims to reach more Tintay Puncu producers, intending to boost the production of at least five farmers and connect them to markets in Lima and beyond, visiting London in April.

The London Coffee Festival presents a unique opportunity for Saba Café and Khipu Coffee to generate global demand for coffee from the VRAEM region. This exceptional coffee serves as a beacon of hope, highlighting the potential of coffee production as a viable alternative to illicit crops.