Isaias Arancel
From Huancaelica, in the province of Tayacaja, Isaias Arancel brings us his Washed Typica & Caturra Blend.
- Altitud: 2300 masl
- Farm: Montana verde
- Location: Huancavelica, Peru / Tayacaja -> Lligua Pampa
Fragrance & Flavor:
Fragrance of licorish, lime, and caramel. Complemented by a smooth cocoa base.
Aftertaste:
Balanced and medium in length, with a lingering licorish and caramel finish.
Acidity:
Citric acidity, adding brightness.
Meet Isaias: A Committed Coffee Producer
Isaias, 55, is a dedicated coffee producer with two children: Luis (21) and an 8-year-old daughter. His son Luis, an agricultural technician, has been hired by Makeda for 2025 to oversee quality control in Huancavelica, where three technicians now operate.
His Journey
In his youth, Isaias left Huancavelica to work in construction, trade, and as a street vendor in Huancayo. He also worked as a laborer, picking coffee in the central jungle. At 34, he returned to his hometown to take over his family's land for growing coffee, which previously grew Andean crops like maize and potatoes.
Today, he is pleased that Makeda buys all his coffee, providing financial stability that allows him to continuously improve his farm.
Since partnering with Makeda in 2022, Isaias has shifted from conventional to specialty coffee production. With guidance from Makeda, he has made significant improvements:
✅ 2023: Installed raised drying beds for better processing
✅ 2023: Upgraded his irrigation system from gravity-fed (which caused soil erosion) to sprinkler irrigation
Current Needs
To further enhance his coffee quality, Isaias requires measurement instruments, including:
Humidity sensors (for relative humidity and grain moisture)
Brix meters (for sugar content)
pH meters (for fermentation monitoring)
With a strong support network in place, he is ready to adopt these tools to refine his coffee production even further.
Makeda Coffee Proyect
Huancavelica Peru - with Makeda
In Huancavelica, I collaborate with Makeda, a company dedicated to supporting local coffee producers. Makeda provides a strong support network, employing three agricultural professionals year-round to guide farmers through every stage of cultivation. They offer structured plans to improve coffee quality and purchase all the producers’ harvests.
Since 2021, Makeda has worked with nine producers, helping them increase their coffee quality from a cupping score of 81-86. The next goal is to enhance moisture control and introduce new coffee varieties.
Out of these nine producers, I work closely with the four i offer, who consistently deliver outstanding results.
Post harvest processing
It is selectively harvested and de-pulped.
It is later washed, re-selected, and dried in raised beds.
It is shifted with #15 mesh and selected by hand.