Finca La Palestina

Finca La Palestina is a prominent coffee-producing operation situated in the remote, mountainous region of San José del Alto in Jaén, Cajamarca, Northern Peru. Rather than a single plot of land, the farm functions as a collection of individual parcels managed by different members of the Alarcón Coronel family. This multi-generational enterprise has been in operation for nearly 50 years, with the third generation of the family currently leading production efforts.

The farm spans a significant elevation range, from 1,200 to 2,000 meters above sea level, with an average altitude of approximately 1,769 meters. This high-altitude environment is a defining characteristic of the farm's output, contributing to the density and flavor profile of the coffee. The family has noted a unique agricultural phenomenon on their land, observing that coffee trees planted at Finca La Palestina often reach productive maturity in just one year, significantly faster than the industry standard of three or more years.

Operational consistency is maintained through a centralized wet mill, where family members José and Anibal Alarcón Coronel oversee the critical stages of fermentation and drying. This centralized approach allows the family to maintain strict quality control across the various parcels operated by different family members. In recent years, the family has engaged in collaborative efforts with Origin Coffee Lab to modernize their infrastructure, including renovation and replanning initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability.

The farm has established long-standing relationships with international specialty coffee roasters, including documented partnerships with companies like Counter Culture Coffee, which has sourced from the farm since 2018. These relationships often involve direct visits to the farm, where roasters engage in hands-on learning regarding the family's specific picking and processing techniques. Such transparency and traceability are hallmarks of the farm's standing in the specialty market.

It is important to distinguish Finca La Palestina in Peru from other locations sharing the name 'Palestina,' such as the municipality of Palestina in the Huila department of Colombia. While the Colombian region of Palestina is a well-known hub for specialty coffee production—home to various farms like Finca el Porvenir and Finca La Tijuana—the Peruvian Finca La Palestina is a distinct entity defined by its specific geography in Cajamarca and the unique history of the Alarcón Coronel family.

Today, the farm stands as a model for smallholder specialty coffee production in Peru. By balancing traditional family knowledge with modern processing techniques and strategic partnerships, the Alarcón Coronel family has secured a reputation for quality. Their work continues to be a focal point for roasters seeking high-quality, traceable lots from the Cajamarca region, reflecting the broader trend of professionalization among Peruvian coffee producers.