Rare Ground (Single Origin Coffee of the Month)

May: Rare Ground, Bolivia San Juan

In the Yungas — where the Bolivian Andes drop sharply toward the Amazon basin — 33 smallholder farms deliver their harvest to Cooperativa Agrícola Cafetalera San Juan each season. The coop was founded in 1974 on a simple premise: small farms, chemical-free methods, collective support. It nearly fell apart between 2006 and 2017. Felix Chambi Garcia joined in 2017 with 16 years of specialty experience and rebuilt quality control from the ground up. This lot is the result.

Grown at 1,500 masl in clay loam soil, this fully washed blend of Typica, Caturra, and Catuai is clean, smooth, and grounded. Expect cocoa and caramel up front, a layer of fruit underneath, and a creamy body that holds up across brew methods. Medium roast with bright acidity — present but not sharp, lifting the cup rather than dominating it.

Origin: Bolivia | Cooperative: San Juan (Caranavi, La Paz) | Varieties: Typica, Caturra, Catuai | Elevation: 1,500 masl | Process: Fully Washed, Sun Dried | Roast: Medium