Yacuri

Yacuri is a prominent coffee farm located in the southern Andes of Ecuador, specifically within the Saraguro region of Loja. It represents a critical expansion of the work led by Juan Peña, a pioneering producer who is widely recognized for his leadership in Ecuadorian specialty coffee. While Peña is perhaps best known for his flagship estate, Hacienda La Papaya, Yacuri serves as a vital processing center and farm that extends his commitment to high-quality production into one of the country's most historically significant landscapes.

The farm is situated on an Amazon-facing frontier, a region with deep cultural roots. The area is part of the upper Chinchipe basin, a landscape with human occupation dating back approximately 5,500 BCE. This region is historically associated with the Palta and Bracamoros peoples, and the land remains deeply connected to indigenous traditions. In this context, Yacuri operates at the intersection of ancestral knowledge and modern agronomy, benefiting from the unique microclimates found in the southern Ecuadorian highlands.

Juan Peña’s approach at Yacuri is defined by rigorous farm management and a focus on innovation. As the driving force behind the CafExporto project, Peña has applied the same meticulous standards to Yacuri that brought him international acclaim at La Papaya. This includes the cultivation of high-value coffee varieties such as Sidra and Geisha, as well as the use of Typica 'Mejorado,' a variety he has championed for its ability to balance high yields with exceptional cup quality.

Processing at Yacuri is characterized by precision and experimentation. As the southernmost processing center under Peña’s management, the farm is equipped to handle delicate micro-lots, ensuring that the specific flavor profiles of each harvest are preserved. This attention to detail has made Yacuri a sought-after origin for specialty roasters globally, who value the farm's ability to produce clean, complex, and distinctively Ecuadorian cup profiles.

Peña’s influence on the region is substantial, as he is credited with pioneering specialty coffee cultivation in Saraguro. His work has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including consecutive Sprudge Notable Producer awards. These accolades reflect not only the quality of the coffee produced at Yacuri but also Peña’s role in elevating the reputation of Ecuadorian coffee on the world stage.

For the roaster and the consumer, Yacuri represents the potential of high-altitude, well-managed Ecuadorian estates. The farm’s output is often featured in limited-release micro-lots, showcasing the diversity of processing methods—from washed to experimental—that Peña employs. By integrating Yacuri into his broader network of farms, Peña has created a sustainable model that emphasizes quality control and genetic diversity, ensuring that the coffee produced there remains at the forefront of the specialty market.