Perlitas

The story

Las Perlitas, which translates to 'Little Pearls,' is not a single farm but a sourcing program developed by The Coffee Quest. It was created to aggregate high-quality coffee from smallholder farmers in Colombia whose individual harvests are too small to be exported independently. By cupping and combining these small lots based on profile and quality, the program allows these producers to access international markets.

Challenges

Smallholder farmers often face the challenge of producing high-quality coffee in quantities too small to meet the volume requirements for individual export. Additionally, producers must meet strict physical requirements regarding moisture content and water activity to be accepted into the program.

Innovations

The program utilizes a rigorous quality control process where every small lot is individually cupped multiple times before being selected for inclusion in a larger, export-ready lot. This model ensures that small-scale producers receive fair payment for their quality regardless of their total harvest volume.