Lizaraso

The Lizarazo family has spent over 50 years cultivating top-quality coffee at Finca Otocani, where generations work together to honor their rich farming legacy. This coffee perfectly highlights what a combination of diligent attention to quality, a great varietal and perfect growing conditions can produce in the cup.

Finca Otocani, owned by the Lizaraso family, is located in the lush Challabamba subregion of Cusco, Peru. In this remote area many locals are family — a key reason why the Lizaraso family has been cultivating coffee here for over 50 years. Despite the division of land over time, the family continues to work together, maintaining a shared coffee plantation that honors their legacy.

While previous generations chose to preserve traditional practices, younger family members have embraced change by renewing old coffee trees and introducing new coffee varieties to enhance quality. Today, the Lizaraso family grows Bourbon and Typica alongside innovative additions like Geisha and Maragogype, reflecting their commitment to quality and experimentation.

True to their family-centered approach, everyone contributes during harvest season. The entire family – around 35 to 40 people — moves from parcel to parcel, collaborating on tasks such as picking, transporting and maintaining the land.

Harvest & Post-Harvest

During harvest season, the Lizaraso family begins picking before sunrise. They selectively handpicks ripe, red cherry and process it on their farm. Once selected, the cherries are transported to the family processing location, where they are floated to remove any underripe or defective cherry. Then, the cherries are pulped and fermented for around 16 hours before being washed in clean water. Parchment laid on covered wooden raised beds to dry and is raked frequently by hand to ensure even drying. It takes approximately 18 days for parchment to dry.

About Bourbon

Bourbon is a specialty coffee darling known for its excellent cup quality and good performance at high altitudes. The variety is susceptible to the major diseases, which can make it difficult to grow. Bourbon traces its heritage back to Yemen. French missionaries introduced Bourbon from Yemen to Bourbon Island (now known as La Reunion) in the early 1700s. Bourbon takes its name from the island where it prospered. Bourbon has had a huge effect on modern coffee varieties as one of the major ascensions for many varieties grown across the world. Today, Bourbon is available in both yellow and red varieties.