Peru Chonta 18/19 Crop

Chontali is in the forested mountains that ring the Chunchucas river valley. The land surrounding Chontali ranges from 1,200 to 2,100 meters ASL, and specialty coffee is cultivated at up to 1,900 meters ASL. Café Chonta takes its name from the spiny palms that grow prolifically here and shelter many farms. The mountains of Chontali are steep, but the slopes become more moderate towards the tops, which allows for the cultivation of coffee. The soil pH is optimal for agriculture, but erosion can be a problem in steeper areas, and some farmers terrace their land to preserve their soil. Chontali is mountainous, hilly and wild. Toward the tops of the mountains, slopes are moderate, allowing for the cultivation of coffee. Cultivation of coffee started in Chontali in the 1950s, and since then the region has blossomed and production has steadily improved.