Alarcón Coronel family

The story of the Alarcón Coronel family begins in 1976, when Don José Alarcón and Doña Zobeida Coronel established the foundation for what would become Finca La Palestina. Located in the mountainous terrain of San José del Alto in the Jaén province of Cajamarca, Peru, the farm has evolved over nearly five decades into a multi-generational enterprise. Today, the land is managed by the third generation of the family, who continue to cultivate coffee across a series of individual parcels that span varying elevations, reaching up to 2,100 meters above sea level. This diverse topography allows the family to manage a complex agricultural landscape that has become a cornerstone of the local specialty coffee community.

Finca La Palestina is not a single, monolithic plot but rather a collection of parcels operated by different members of the Alarcón Coronel family. This structure reflects a collaborative approach to farming, where family members work together to maintain the land and improve their output. The family has noted that their land possesses a unique vitality, observing that crops tend to thrive with relative ease, a characteristic they have leveraged to focus on high-quality specialty production.

In recent years, the family has significantly elevated their production standards through a strategic partnership with Origin Coffee Lab, a Cajamarca-based exporter. This collaboration has been instrumental in the farm's modernization, focusing on the phased renovation and replanting of their coffee trees. By adopting recommended best agricultural practices, the family has successfully maximized both the productivity of their land and the quality of their harvest, ensuring that their coffee meets the rigorous demands of the international specialty market.

Their commitment to quality is evidenced by the varieties they cultivate, which include Geisha, Marshell, and SL-9. These selections demonstrate a focus on flavor profile and market relevance, moving beyond traditional commercial varieties to cater to roasters and consumers seeking distinct, high-scoring coffees. The family's methodical approach to farm management and their willingness to integrate technical guidance have made them a respected name among specialty coffee roasters in the UK and beyond.

Beyond the technical aspects of farming, the Alarcón Coronel family represents the resilience and continuity of smallholder coffee production in Northern Peru. Their ability to sustain a multi-generational business in a remote, challenging environment highlights the importance of family-led agricultural models in the specialty coffee supply chain. The farm serves as a case study for how traditional knowledge, when combined with modern agronomic support, can lead to long-term success and economic stability for coffee-growing families.

Today, the Alarcón Coronel family remains a vital part of the Cajamarca coffee landscape. Their work at La Palestina continues to be featured by specialty roasters who value the traceability and the personal history behind the beans. As they move forward, the family’s focus remains on maintaining the health of their land and the quality of their coffee, ensuring that the legacy started by Don José and Doña Zobeida continues to thrive for future generations.