Natural AIPEP

A Premium Organic Bolivian Coffee

This limited release trekker series offering comes to us from the primary-level producer association AIPEP, located in the Yungas mountains of Bolivia. This premium lot was the product of a substantial quality project involving the construction of new drying tables.  The project was fully funded by Cooperative Coffees impact fund, which is used to assist coffee farmers at origin.  We found this natural processed coffee to be pleasantly dense, with notes of blueberry, grape and black tea in the cup.

AIPEP was formally founded in 2002. From its beginnings, members worked hard to develop the internal systems for excellent organic production and quality control. AIPEP obtained organic certification when it was founded but had no export market. It wasn’t until 2006 that AIPEP developed a direct relationship with a buyer, thanks to the support of FECAFEB, Federación de Caficultores Exportadores de Bolivia. 

In 2020, Cooperative Coffees approved a $10,000 quality project from its impact fund to build 30 raised beds for drying coffee at AIPEP. Raised beds are more efficient at drying parchment level coffee, as they allow oxygen to interact with the coffee seeds from the top and the bottom at the same time. By giving farmers in this region access to these new drying tables, the producer group was able to put together some special prep lots to showcase their quality improvement.

The special preparation for this lot starts with cherries that are handpicked, then floated in water in wooden boxes so that underdeveloped and damaged cherries float to be removed. The cherries that sink are then carefully dried on raised beds with the fruit left on the seed. This natural processing method leads to a more aromatic, fruity flavor profile.

The Bottom Line:

This limited release trekker series coffee from AIPEP in Bolivia is unique and fruity. Strawberry, date, and brown sugar in the aroma lead to blueberry, grape and black tea in the cup. This coffee is for anyone wanting to try unique, special prep coffee from a fantastic producer organization.

Thanks to our friends at Cooperative Coffees for helping us source this organic coffee and share the story of it's producers at AIPEP.