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La Lucuma – Marshell

Microlot

La Lucuma, Cajamarca, Peru – Washed Marshell

– “An extremely rare and exotic varietal developed by the progressive and award-winning producer Marcelino Chinguel”. 

What to expect in the cup

Medjool dates, nougat, clove. A nuanced and layered cup that showcases an exotic character and a delightful fragrance of oriental spices and sweet tobacco.

£13.00£52.00

This is a traditional washed process where the cherries are harvested and processed on the same day. They are rinsed in cold spring water to eliminate any dirt from the field and to minimize microbial presence, thereby extending the fermentation period. After removing any floaters and draining the good cherries, the coffee is pulped and placed in ceramic tanks for fermentation. Depending on the ambient temperature, this process takes approximately 48 hours, after which the mucilage can be easily removed through friction. Marcelino then washes the coffee with fresh spring water to eliminate the mucilage. Once fully fermented, the coffee is initially pre-dried on raised beds under sunlight to remove surface moisture, preventing spoilage or excess humidity in the covered drying area. After several hours, the coffee is transferred to a covered drying area where it remains on raised beds in a greenhouse for about 20 days. Once it reaches a moisture content of 11%, the coffee is bagged and allowed to rest for two weeks on the farm before being sent to the warehouse in Jaén.
Marcelino Chinguel, a second-generation coffee farmer, along with his wife Grimanes, operates a 6-hectare farm in La Coipa, where they cultivate exclusively the Marshell variety. The farm is situated at an elevation of 1800 to 1900 meters above sea level, characterised by nutrient-rich soils and a relatively cool, humid climate, which are conducive to high-quality coffee production. Marcelino and Grimanes manage the farm with the assistance of permanent staff who handle daily operations throughout the year. The farm employs manual weeding and utilises a blend of chemical fertilisers and organic manures. The Marshell variety, discovered on Marcelino’s farm in 2017, remains somewhat enigmatic regarding its origins and genetic composition. Initially noted for its high yield and resistance to coffee leaf rust—traits of significant importance to farmers—Marcelino submitted samples of this variety to a cooperative for evaluation of its cup quality, which was becoming increasingly relevant in local market pricing, where small premiums were offered for superior cup quality. The results were exceptionally favourable, surpassing even those of his Caturra variety. Consequently, Marcelino opted to convert his entire farm to the Marshell variety, eliminating all other plants. Since the discovery of this variety, Marcelino, Grimanes, and their children Franklin and Jhon have participated in the Cup of Excellence competition, achieving victory in 2019 and consistently ranking in the top ten nearly every year.