Percy Pintado

Percy Pintado is a prominent coffee producer operating in the Alto Ihuamaca region of San Ignacio, within the Cajamarca department of Peru. His farm, Finca Rayos del Sol, is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,825 meters above sea level. This high-altitude environment, combined with the specific microclimate of the region, provides the ideal conditions for the cultivation of high-quality Arabica coffee, a hallmark of the specialty coffee movement in Northern Peru.

The Pintado family maintains a strong presence in the local agricultural landscape, with several family-owned farms situated in close proximity to one another. This cluster of farms allows for a collaborative approach to coffee production, where knowledge regarding cultivation and processing is shared among family members. This familial structure is representative of the broader smallholder farming culture that defines the Peruvian coffee sector, where the majority of production comes from farms averaging just over a hectare in size.

Percy Pintado has gained recognition for his commitment to quality, particularly through his work with diverse coffee varieties. While many Peruvian producers focus on traditional cultivars, Pintado has successfully cultivated Geisha, as well as Red and Yellow Caturra and Bourbon varieties. The production of Geisha, in particular, highlights his focus on high-end specialty markets, as this variety requires precise management and is highly sought after for its complex, floral, and citrus-forward flavor profiles.

In practice, Pintado utilizes the washed processing method, a standard for high-quality Peruvian coffee that emphasizes clarity and acidity. By controlling the initial stages of the coffee process—from harvesting to fermentation and drying—he ensures that the unique characteristics of his specific lots are preserved. This level of control is a departure from the traditional Peruvian model, where smallholder coffee is often bulked at mills, which can obscure the quality of individual lots.

For the roaster and the consumer, the work of producers like Percy Pintado represents a shift toward greater traceability and quality-based incentives. By separating his harvest into distinct lots, Pintado allows roasters to showcase the specific terroir of his farm. This approach is essential for the economic sustainability of smallholder farmers, as it rewards the extra labor required to produce specialty-grade coffee rather than treating it as a commodity.

His contributions are part of a larger narrative in Peru, where the coffee industry is increasingly focusing on quality tiers to compete in the global market. As the country faces competition from other agricultural exports, the success of producers like Pintado serves as a model for how small-scale farmers can leverage specialty varieties and meticulous processing to secure a place in the international specialty coffee supply chain.