Peru Carranza

Peru Carranza Gesha is an exclusive coffee from the highlands of the Amazonas region in northern Peru. The coffee grows with the Carranza Montenegro family on their farm in the village of Gracias a Dios (Lonya Grande) at over 1,600 meters altitude. Only the rare Gesha variety is cultivated on this farm, a true 'Gesha-only' farm, which is unique for the region. Notably, the family once transformed degraded land into a sustainable coffee oasis through their dedication to this exceptional variety. The Carranza family has decades of experience and co-founded All Coffee Peru (since 2021), a cooperative of 30 families known for quality coffee and a positive impact on the local community.

At Rum Baba this coffee is lightly roasted to preserve the refined flavors. As part of the 'Liquid Diamond' collection, the label for their premium microlots, it receives a delicate filter roast that emphasizes the fruity and floral notes. The beans are shipped shortly after roasting, usually within 1 to 10 days, so you receive them fresh and at their flavor peak. The light roast delivers an elegant body and sparkling acidity, making Peru Carranza ideal for slow, manual brewing as a filter coffee. Thanks to the carefully tuned roast profile you clearly taste the subtle peach and bergamot nuances without bitter or smoky tones.

Peru Carranza treats you to a complex flavor palette full of sweet and floral nuances. In the cup, juicy peach, fresh bergamot citrus, and honeyed honeysuckle blossom take the lead. This Gesha coffee is known for its elegant, tea-like aroma, as if you’re smelling a cup of Earl Grey with peach slices. The fragrance while brewing is floral and sweet, and each sip reveals new layers: first a lively fruitiness, followed by delicate floral tones. The mouthfeel is silky with a light body, and the finish is bright and fragrant, letting you enjoy the aftertaste for a long time.

Carranza Gesha is processed with a careful washed method that highlights purity of flavor. After hand-picking, the whole coffee cherries are first fermented for 72 hours, allowing sugars from the pulp to infuse. The cherries are then pulped (pulp removed) and fermented for another 72 hours to break down the remaining mucilage. After this, the beans dry slowly on raised beds in a solar dryer, a greenhouse-like setup, for even drying without rain interference. This double-fermented washed process results in a clean, bright cup with deep complexity. Remarkably, this lot was grown and processed organically, contributing to a pure taste and responsible production.

The coffee is the Gesha variety (also spelled Geisha), an Arabica type famed worldwide for its extraordinary quality. Gesha originates from Ethiopia and stood out for exceptional floral and fruity traits, especially after earning top marks in competitions in Panama. On the Carranza estate they have fully committed to this variety, all the coffee shrubs are Gesha. This focus on a single variety ensures optimal growing conditions and consistent quality. Gesha plants thrive at high elevations and require meticulous care; in return, they yield small harvests with intense aromas. Peru Carranza is 100% Arabica Gesha, unblended, so the hallmark characteristics of this variety express themselves unadulterated in the cup.

Sustainability is central to the Carranza family and their cooperative. They converted previously degraded land into a healthy coffee farm, restoring biodiversity. All Coffee Peru, the cooperative they co-founded, supports around 30 farming families with training, infrastructure, and community projects. Organic cultivation is promoted and many affiliated farmers, including the Carranzas themselves, have achieved organic certification. Shade trees and agroforestry techniques are used on the farms to keep soils healthy and prevent erosion. The cooperative also invests in local development, such as education and building schools, to improve quality of life in the coffee-growing community. Through fair trading relationships and knowledge sharing (the family was previously active in the JUMARP cooperative El Palto), both farmers and nature benefit from producing this coffee.

To get the most from this fine Gesha, a filter brew method is recommended. Prepare Peru Carranza with a Hario V60, Chemex, or Kalita Wave for a clear and aromatic cup. Use freshly ground coffee at a medium grind and water around 92–94°C for the best results. A coffee-to-water ratio of about 1:16 (e.g., 15 grams of coffee to 240 ml of water) brings out a balanced sweetness and clarity. Pour the water in stages and aim for a total brew time of around 3 minutes 30 seconds for even extraction. Serve this coffee preferably black, without milk or sugar, so the subtle peach, citrus, and blossom aromas can fully shine. Tip: preheat the cup and take in the fragrance of the grounds and the aromas while pouring to heighten the experience of this special coffee.

Peru Carranza Gesha has won over local roasters and enjoys international recognition. Producer Ronal Carranza Montenegro is known as an award-winning coffee grower with multiple quality prizes to his name. Although this specific lot is exclusive and limited, coffees from the Carranza family are consistently highly rated by connoisseurs for their complexity and purity. In specialty coffee circles, this Gesha variety often scores above 87–88 points out of 100 in cuppings, placing it among Peru’s best. Rum Baba includes Peru Carranza in their “Diamond” collection, a sign they consider it one of their absolute top coffees. Customer reviews and baristas praise its elegant flavor; it is regularly cited as a highlight of Rum Baba’s offering.

Peru Carranza Gesha comes in a stylish, high-quality package befitting its exclusive status. Rum Baba packs this coffee in a compact 200-gram bag, slightly smaller than the usual 250 g, to keep this rare lot optimally fresh. The packaging is part of the “Liquid Diamond” series and features a subtle diamond symbol and clear labels. The design is minimalist and modern, a clean bag listing the coffee’s name, origin, variety, and tasting notes. A resealable strip preserves the aroma longer and lets you close the bag well each time. The bag uses neutral colors with the signature Rum Baba logo, reinforcing the premium feel. The overall look exudes craftsmanship and keeps the coffee itself center stage, understated luxury that suits this special Gesha.

Peru Carranza Gesha is a seasonal microlot available only in limited quantities. At Rum Baba this coffee is typically sold while stocks last due to the small harvest. The beans are offered only as whole bean (no pre-ground option) so enthusiasts can grind fresh to taste. A 200-gram bag costs around €22.50, reflecting its exclusivity and quality, a higher-than-average price that delivers a unique experience in return. In the Netherlands, Rum Baba ships free on orders from €55, and international shipping is available to various countries. You can also pick up in their Amsterdam shops to save on shipping. Given this Gesha’s popularity and the small release, it’s wise to act in time, when it’s gone, it’s gone. For the true coffee aficionado, the price is more than worth it for the unmatched flavor experience Peru Carranza offers.