CIRO PEREZ ALARCON

In the lush mountains of Huabal, Jaén, lies the small community of San Francisco de Agua Colorada—and at its heart, you’ll find Ciro Pérez, a coffee farmer whose life has been steeped in coffee for over 40 years.

Ciro’s story is one of deep roots and new horizons. He’s a second-generation grower, following in the footsteps of his parents, who left Sierra de Santa Cruz, Cajamarca, in search of fertile land and a brighter future. They settled in Huabal, where Ciro would put down his own roots, quite literally, building his farm from the ground up.

What keeps Ciro going today isn’t just the crop itself—it’s the way specialty coffee connects him to the world. It opens doors to new markets, creates friendships across continents, and helps lift small producers like himself to greater opportunities. Always looking ahead, he’s modernised his equipment, refined his processing, and embraced innovation, all while holding tight to the values his parents passed down.

But it’s not just about the machinery or methods—Ciro’s farm is alive with diversity. The unique microclimates and rich biodiversity of the region don’t just sustain the land; they shape the flavours in every cup. Alongside his coffee, Ciro grows yucca, bananas, corn, and vituca, weaving resilience and sustainability into the fabric of his family’s livelihood.

Now, his sights are set on the next big step: building a more efficient, optimised processing area to keep pushing quality forward. And with his children beginning to walk the same path, Ciro’s legacy is more than secure—it’s evolving. One harvest at a time. One cup at a time.