Finca La Mandarina (El Morito)

The name 'Finca La Mandarina' refers to an individual coffee farm managed by producer Faustino Flores. This farm is intrinsically linked to the El Morito organization, a prominent entity in the Cajamarca region of Peru. While the name 'El Morito' is frequently associated with a large, well-known estate in Guatemala owned by the Monterroso family, it also functions as a cooperative or collective structure in Peru, where individual farmers like Faustino Flores produce and process their own coffee before consolidating their harvests for export under the El Morito banner. This distinction is vital for understanding the traceability of Peruvian specialty lots.

Faustino Flores is a key figure within this network, representing a lineage of coffee production that dates back to the 1970s. The Flores family has deep roots in the northern Cajamarca region, specifically within the San Ignacio and Cutervo areas. In 2009, the family patriarch established the broader El Morito estate, which has since evolved into a respected family-run operation that sources coffee from both their own lands and closely connected neighboring producers. Finca La Mandarina serves as one of these essential production sites within that ecosystem.

In practice, the relationship between Finca La Mandarina and the El Morito collective allows small-scale farmers to access international specialty markets that might otherwise be unreachable. By processing their own cherries on-site, farmers maintain a higher degree of control over the quality of their output. Once processed, these lots are consolidated, allowing the collective to manage the logistics of direct export. This model is designed to ensure that more value remains with the families who cultivate the land, rather than being absorbed by intermediaries.

For the roaster and the consumer, the tag 'Finca La Mandarina (El Morito)' signifies a commitment to micro-lot traceability. It identifies the specific origin of the coffee—the farm—while acknowledging the logistical support provided by the El Morito organization. This dual-layer identification helps specialty coffee buyers verify the provenance of their beans, ensuring that the labor and expertise of individual producers like Faustino Flores are recognized and rewarded.

It is important to distinguish this Peruvian operation from the Guatemalan Finca El Morito, which is owned by Roberto Monterroso in the department of Jalapa. The Guatemalan estate is a sprawling 672-hectare property known for high-altitude production and award-winning lots, such as those recognized by the Good Food Awards. While both share the name 'El Morito,' they represent entirely different geographic regions, production models, and family histories. Confusing the two can lead to inaccuracies in sourcing data.

Today, the story of Finca La Mandarina stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of Peruvian coffee. Through the leadership of families like the Flores clan, the region has moved toward a model of direct export that emphasizes quality and sustainability. By focusing on specific farm-level identities, the industry continues to move away from anonymous bulk sourcing, providing drinkers with a clearer window into the specific mountainsides and hands that produced their morning cup.