Cooperativá Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa

Our Peruvian coffee comes from the Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa, located on the lush Amazonian slopes of Central Peru. In 2003, we took a chance on this small cooperative, becoming their very first Fair Trade and Direct buyer. Pangoa had earned both Organic and Fair-Trade certifications but could not find a buyer to justify the time and expense of those certifications. Our initial purchase opened many doors, and today, Pangoa is one of our longest-standing partnerships, one built on trust, respect, collaboration, and a shared vision for both exceptional coffee and thriving communities.

Founded in 1977 by just 50 farmers, Pangoa grew to nearly 2,000 members before the guerrilla violence of the 1980s forced many to flee to the cities. In the decades since, the cooperative has slowly rebuilt and today counts over 1,000 members among its ranks, many of whom are Indigenous peoples. In addition to coffee, members also cultivate cocoa and honey, diversifying their livelihoods and building economic resilience.

Our relationship with Pangoa has always gone beyond just buying their coffee. Together, we’ve launched women’s loan funds, income-diversifying honey projects, and college scholarship programs. One of our proudest collaborations is reforestation, planting over 120,000 native trees in that region of Peru over the last 21 years. These efforts not only restore biodiversity but also merit the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Friendly (Trademark) designation Pangoa has earned, which creates critical habitat for migratory species. Every sip of Pangoa's coffee is part of our shared efforts to fight climate change, preserving biodiversity and fragile ecosystems while support farming families.

Peruvian coffees are known for their mild sweetness, soft body, and gentle acidity. The beans from Pangoa, often cultivated by Indigenous Ashaninka farmers at high altitudes, shine especially in lighter roasts, where their subtle charm can be fully appreciated. Over the years, we’ve introduced this coffee to specialty markets in the U.S. and Europe, where it is beloved for its easy drinkability and delicate balance.