Finca Chuquiago, owned by Felipe Guarachi Tola, is located in Bolivia’s La Paz region. The farm is renowned for producing the Java coffee variety. Situated at an elevation of approximately 1,550 meters above sea level, the farm benefits from the region’s fertile soils and favourable climate, ideal for cultivating specialty coffee. The name “Chuquiago” is derived from “Chuquiago Marka,” the indigenous Aymara name for the area that is now La Paz, Bolivia. This historical reference reflects the farm’s deep connection to the region’s cultural heritage.
Processing in Bolivia is very similar in practice to Colombia’s specialty producers, as many Bolivian smallholders invest in processing infrastructure. In washing, the coffee is sorted, depulped, fermented, and dried for about two weeks at the farm level. This 100% Java variety, originating in Ethiopia and brought to Indonesia by the Dutch, has become a prized, disease-resistant variety in Central and South America. It is highly regarded as a unique alternative to the famous Gesha varietal due to its exceptional cup quality.
The La Paz department is the most well-known coffee growing region in Bolivia. This North-Western department shares a border with Peru. It is divided into 20 provinces and 85 municipalities. This region is known for its extreme terrain from the Andes mountains and rich water sources.
