Illimani

More About Illimani

Illimani is a coffee roastery and supplier based in Den Haag with a deep-rooted connection to Bolivia. The company was registered on February 1, 1993, following a journey to Bolivia by Eric Beek and Gloria Sullca in the summer of 1992. The goal of that trip was to import coffee while simultaneously supporting the local economy of small-scale farmers. In the documented company history, Eric Beek is named as the founder. His connection to Bolivia stemmed from his studies in Tropical Agricultural Engineering, where he initially focused on traditional irrigation.

Early years and development

The first documented order consisted of 1,500 kg of coffee from a local roaster in La Paz. According to company records, approximately 1,200 kg remained after roasting. In March 1993, the brand names Andes and Inca were introduced. During this early phase, the coffee was roasted and packed by Simon Levelt in unbranded packaging. In 2005, Illimani became involved in an investment in the Yanaloma plantation. The Single Estate Yanaloma coffee has been documented as an available product since 2007.

Origin and Sourcing

Bolivia forms the core of Illimani’s documented origin. The coffee is described as coming from two regions in Bolivia, with Yungas mentioned as the primary area, accounting for about ninety percent of Bolivian coffee production. Eric Beek established contacts with cooperatives in Yungas. In 1997, Illimani transitioned to organically certified coffee. According to product information, Yanaloma Vegan comes from the Yanaloma plantation in the Apolobamba valley in Bolivia.

Alongside Bolivia, other origins are featured within the assortment. Brazil Winners Blend comes from Minas Gerais in Brazil and consists of the Catuaí and Bourbon varieties. The coffee grows at an altitude of 1,300 meters, with a harvest period running from April to July. The processing method consists of sixty percent natural and forty percent washed. Furthermore, West-Java in Indonesia and Central Peru are documented as the origins for Java Arabica Preanger and Peru Selva Central.

Roast profile and methodology

Illimani’s approach links coffee to the characteristics of its origin. Eric Beek described the 1992 concept as a question of why coffee, much like wine, couldn’t be presented with a stronger emphasis on its origin. The coffee is roasted in the Netherlands. In 2014, Beek cited Dutch roasting expertise and risks regarding flavor and delivery as reasons for not roasting in the country of origin. The roasting method is described as a controlled process of time and temperature, with slow roasting typically taking ten to fifteen minutes.

A local press photo from 2021 shows roasting equipment in the shop on the Theresiastraat. The manufacturer, model, batch capacity, and fuel type are not publicly documented. Similarly, information regarding roast-profile software, cupping software, and green coffee storage capacity has not been publicly recorded. As a result, some of the technical production details remain behind the scenes.

Assortment

The webshop groups coffee products under Bolivia’s/Koffie and Specialties. Additionally, non-coffee categories are mentioned, such as Wild Amazonian Cacao, tea, coffee machines, and accessories. Within the Bolivia line, Andes Arabica Extra, Inca Beans Espresso, Inca Espressomaling, Inca Dark Beans Espresso, and Yanaloma Beans Espresso are documented. Among the specialty products are names like Brazil Winners Blend, Java, Peru Selva Central, and Yanaloma Vegan.

Various coffees are offered in 250g, 500g, and 1kg packaging. Several grind options are also mentioned. The offering includes whole beans, percolator-espresso grind, piston-machine espresso grind, coarse grind for cafetière, and filter grind. The coffee is described as 100% Arabica and organically grown.

Sustainability and Certification

Illimani mentions the EKO certification in Europe. The coffee is described as being produced without artificial or synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. It is also stated that farmers consider biodiversity by maintaining or creating green corridors. Local reports in April 2021 noted that Illimani has held the EKO certification since 1997. Yanaloma Vegan is vegan certified, as no animals are used in production, including for manure or the transport of coffee sacks.

Shop, distribution, and public contact

Illimani sells through its own webshop and has a physical store located at Theresiastraat 262 in Den Haag. Official opening hours are listed as Tuesday through Friday from 08:00 to 18:00 and Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00. A local delivery platform lists different hours and notes closures on Sundays and Mondays. In April 2021, it was reported that the coffee shop had been open for over six months, suggesting a launch around late 2020.

In 2021, the shop was described as offering coffee-to-go, tea, chocolate, and planned workshops on roasting, brewing, and tasting. A separate tasting room menu, seating capacity, booking system, or fixed cupping schedule is not publicly documented. Earlier reports also mention distribution via organic stores and wholesalers, including De Nieuwe Band, Natudis, and Udea. In 2015, the business split was cited as forty percent hospitality and sixty percent retail.

Team, trade fairs, and public presence

Eric Beek is publicly documented as the founder and owner. Gloria Sullca, also mentioned as Gloria Beek, appears in accounts of the journey to Bolivia and in later descriptions of ownership. In 2015, it was reported that Eric Beek did most of the work alongside his wife Gloria. Specific roles such as head roaster, production staff, baristas, and account managers are not further documented publicly.

Over the years, Illimani has been visible at trade fairs and events. In 2013, Eric Beek invited visitors to taste Bolivian coffee at BioVak. During Horecava 2013, he spoke about organic coffee, and Illimani was described as an importer and wholesaler. In 2023, Gloria Sullca and Eric Beek attended the Bio-Beurs. In the same year, it was reported that Illimani supplied coffee of Ecuadorian origin for the fourth Ecuador Food Festival in Den Haag.

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