This washed coffee represents select producers from the Chito municipality in Zamora Chinchipe province, Ecuador. Operations are headed by Juan Peña and his team at CafExporto. The coffee is grown at 1600-1800 meters altitude and features varieties including Sarchimor, Caturra, SL-28, Catimor, Castillo, and Colombia 6. The processing follows rigorous protocols with same-day depulping after harvest and 48-hour underwater fermentation. Parchment is dried on raised beds in greenhouses with retractable sides. The harvest period is May through August. The coffee offers flavor notes of floral lime, molasses, and chocolate with a balanced profile and moderate acidity.
Pair Cupworks is a specialty micro roastery in Mesa, Arizona, founded by Kimhak Em and Eugenia Tai. Kimhak brings over 30 years of food service experience and a culinary background; Eugenia combines structural engineering with commercial illustration and handles the brand's visual identity. They began roasting in 2017, initially selling beans online while working day jobs, and opened their first coffee bar in 2020. Food & Wine Magazine named them Best Coffee Roaster in the state in 2022. They roast in small batches with the goal of developing clean flavours that respect the work of farmers and producers. Wholesale clients now stretch across the US and into Europe and Asia.
