Mery Garcito

Mery Garcito is a coffee producer based in the Loja Province of southern Ecuador, near the border with Peru. She manages Finca La Bendición, a small-scale farm measuring approximately 0.75 hectares, alongside her husband, Luis, and their two children. Despite the farm's modest size, it contains roughly 2,000 coffee trees, all dedicated to the Mejorado variety. The farm is situated at an elevation of 1,900 meters above sea level, benefiting from the specific microclimate of the La Papaya region, an isolated, canyon-like environment noted for producing compelling and complex coffee profiles.

The Mejorado variety, which Garcito exclusively cultivates, is a unique coffee cultivar primarily associated with Ecuador. While historically referred to as 'Typica Mejorado,' genetic testing by World Coffee Research has clarified that the variety is a cross between a Bourbon-lineage coffee and an Ethiopian landrace. Its origins are often traced back to a coffee research laboratory in Pichincha, Ecuador, where a technician named Don Olger Rogel identified it alongside the Sidra variety as having exceptional potential for cup quality.

At Finca La Bendición, Garcito employs meticulous processing methods to highlight the inherent qualities of the Mejorado variety. Cherries are hand-picked at peak ripeness and floated to remove defects before being de-pulped on the day of harvest. The coffee undergoes a 32-hour dry fermentation process, followed by washing and drying on raised beds. This rigorous attention to detail is designed to preserve the variety's characteristic florality, lemongrass aromatics, and yellow fruit notes, which are supported by a structured acidity.

For the specialty coffee industry, Garcito represents a new generation of producers navigating the challenging terrain of the Ecuadorian Andes. Her work is particularly significant because sourcing from the La Papaya microclimate has become increasingly difficult due to the region's isolation and the complexities of the local landscape. By focusing on a single, high-quality variety and precise processing, Garcito has gained recognition among specialty roasters who value the unique sensory output of her specific terroir.

The inclusion of Mery Garcito in traceability data serves as a marker of transparency and quality for roasters and consumers. It highlights the role of smallholder farmers in maintaining the genetic diversity of coffee, specifically through the preservation of varieties like Mejorado. Her farm's output is a testament to the impact of high-altitude, small-plot farming on the final cup profile, demonstrating how specific geographic conditions and careful post-harvest handling contribute to the premium specialty coffee market.

As of recent harvests, Garcito’s coffee has been featured by specialty roasters who emphasize the importance of her specific microclimate and the genetic potential of the Mejorado variety. Her story stands as an example of the ongoing efforts to connect small-scale, high-quality production with global markets, ensuring that the labor and expertise of individual farmers are recognized and valued within the broader coffee supply chain.