Peru’s excellent coffee is an interesting mix of smooth, complex and slightly sweet flavors. But as the 11th largest coffee producer in the world, many people have never tasted these delicious beans. if you want to try it yourself, how do you make sure you buy the best Peruvian coffee beans available?
Reading: Best peruvian coffee
we are here to help. To make your shopping easy, we’ve sampled all the major Peruvian coffee brands and put together this list of our five favorites. our in-depth reviews of each brand look at price, taste, roast quality, and freshness. Armed with all of this information, you’ll be shopping for delicious Peruvian coffee in no time.
a look at our favorites in 2022
the 5 best Peruvian coffee brands
1. organic coffee from peru volcanica – best overall
Our favorite brand of Peruvian coffee is the whole bean from Volcanic Organic Tres Cumbres Peru. Reasonably priced with a complicated, delicious flavor, this whole bean coffee could be your new favorite.
tres Cumbres is very aromatic and consistently medium roasted. These beans have complex flavors that are both smoky and floral, though they can sometimes have a slightly burnt flavor. like all volcanica beans, these are grown on mountain coffee farms at more than 3,000 feet. the company also offers a generous 100% satisfaction guarantee.
All in all, this is our pick for the best Peruvian coffee of 2021.
see also: our detailed volcanic coffee review
2. Peruvian cooper
Our second favorite type of Peruvian beans is the Peruvian cooper barrel. Available as whole bean or coarsely ground, this organic coffee has a strong, complex flavor with hints of caramel, cherry, and orange.
This coffee arrives medium roast and deeply aromatic. it’s roasted specifically for cold brewing, which means it’s not as flavorful when made by other methods. still, this is a tasty and complex Peruvian coffee that is sold at a reasonable price. plus, your stomach will appreciate the low acidity!
3. coffee java planet peru: the best choice decaffeinated
If you love the taste of coffee but prefer to skip the caffeine, you may be interested in Java Planet’s Decaf Peruvian Coffee. This organic decaf coffee is offered at a reasonable price and comes in a medium dark roast with a nutty flavor.
Neither bitter nor oily, this low-acid coffee has a smooth, mellow flavor. It’s not the most exciting or complex coffee we’ve tried, but it’s reasonably tasty and has a good aroma. java planet uses the chemical free swiss water process to decaffeinate these beans.
4. amazonfresh organic fair trade coffee from peru
don’t like to grind your beans? You may want to try AmazonFresh Peru Ground Coffee, which is our top pick for pre-ground beans. This inexpensive coffee is certified organic and fair trade and comes in a fragrant medium roast and medium grind.
We found this coffee to be on the lighter end of medium roasts, so its flavor isn’t particularly bold or burnt. If you’re looking for a good pre-ground coffee with a smooth, slightly acidic flavor, this Peruvian coffee from Amazon might be the variety for you.
5. direct french roasted coffee beans peru
Our latest option, Peruvian French Roast Whole Bean straight from the coffee bean, is priced low and available in bulk five pound bags. this coffee tastes decent and is generally quite fresh, though it lacks the complexity of other Peruvian brands.
We found that the level of roast was less consistent with this brand of coffee. Although these beans are sold as French roast, the bag we received was on the lighter end, with a more medium level of roast. These beans are not especially oily, although they do have a higher acidity.
buyer’s guide: how to select the best Peruvian coffee brand
What are Peruvian coffee beans all about? Whether you’re familiar with them or trying them for the first time, this quick guide to coffee from Peru can help you find the best beans.
origin
Peruvian coffee dates back to the 18th century when Spanish explorers first introduced it to the Inca civilization. Peru was one of the first countries in the Americas to grow coffee. For many years, Peru consumed almost all of its coffee domestically, although it has recently become a larger exporter of coffee as infrastructure improves.
Given that Peru has some of the highest mountains in the world, it is not surprising that most of the country’s coffee grows at very high altitudes, between 3,000 and 5,000 feet. The climate at this altitude is ideal for growing Arabica coffee beans, which are considered to be the highest quality and most flavorful variety of coffee. The main coffee growing areas include the Amazon, Ayacucho, Cusco and Huánaco.
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Coffee farming in Peru remains largely small-scale, with most farms smaller than three hectares. This means that flavors can vary substantially from bean to bean, so you won’t get bored drinking Peruvian coffee.
flavor
Peruvian coffee is known for its intense, smooth flavors, medium body, and moderate acidity. beans grown at higher altitudes will have higher acidity levels and a sweeter flavor, while those grown at lower elevations will have a softer, more floral flavor and less acidity.
If you like your coffee smooth and sweet, even without adding milk or sugar, Peruvian coffee might be your new favorite. its mild nutty flavor also makes it a great coffee to mix with bolder beans.
roasted
The mild flavors of Peruvian coffee beans lend themselves best to a medium roast, which adds just enough boldness and smoke without burning the beans’ brilliant complexity. As with all beans, you’ll want to make sure your Peruvian beans have been recently roasted. the best flavor is available between seven and 30 days after roasting.
grind
Pre-ground coffee is undoubtedly convenient, but if you want the freshest, most flavorful coffee, you may want to buy whole beans and grind them right before brewing. Through contact with oxygen, ground coffee loses flavor more quickly than the whole bean.
sustainability
If you’re interested in sustainability, look for organic, fair trade, and rainforest alliance certifications on the coffee bag. After Mexico, Peru is the world’s largest exporter of fair trade coffee, so there is no shortage of sustainable options.
conclusion
To summarize, our favorite Peruvian coffee brand is Volcanic Organic Tres Cumbres Peru Whole Bean. At a good price, aromatic and tasty, this coffee can be a great option for you. If you’re looking to cut back on caffeine, you may prefer Java Planet Peru Decaf Coffee, which maintains a delicious, smooth flavor at a reasonable cost. For lovers of pre-ground coffee, we recommend AmazonFresh Fair Trade Organic Ground Coffee from Peru. this coffee is fragrant, smooth and slightly acidic.
Whatever your preferences, you will surely find a brand of coffee from Peru that suits your tastes. We hope our detailed reviews of the five best Peruvian coffees, along with our guide to the beans of Peru, will help you make your selection.
featured image credit: loggawiggler, pixabay
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