There are many good reasons to travel to Peru. The legendary Machu Picchu in the footsteps of the Inca, the sunny beaches in the north, the dense jungle in the interior or the Salt pans of Maras – just to name a few examples. But what very few people think of when they hear the name “Peru” is coffee. Actually, the tranquil country in South America is not necessarily famous as a coffee producer. As far as this is concerned, its neighboring country Brazil is making much more headlines, because around three million tons of coffee are produced here every year and shipped worldwide. This is a huge market in which Colombia and El Salvador are also strongly involved. This does not mean, however, that Peru does not also have good coffee. On the contrary: the most expensive coffee in the world, and thus the best according to many people, comes from the Satipo region – and this is located in the heart of Peru.
What does coffee have to do with the South American coatis?
Frahling lovers have certainly heard of the special coffee produced with the help of a mammal, the South American coatis. The raw coffee cherry is one of their natural foods, and the bean kernel is not digested, but wet fermented and excreted. These seeds are then collected, thoroughly washed and cleaned. They are then dried, peeled and roasted. The result is the most expensive coffee in the world. But why? Especially since the production process sounds anything but appetizing to many people!
Why is coffee from Satipo so expensive?
On the one hand, of course, this should be due to the exquisite taste. Many people – including the British royal family – consider it to be the best coffee in the world and are prepared to spend a lot of money on these special beans. On the other hand, the number of coffee beans from Satipo is limited by the elaborate manufacturing process. Only around 800 kilograms are produced every year by Capis and marketed internationally. And since the interplay of demand and supply is known to determine the price, it is driven higher and higher with the increasing awareness of the coffee variety. In addition, the attitude of the South American coatis is anything but easy. They are shrewd and sometimes aggressive. At the same time, they are susceptible to (life-threatening) diseases if kept incorrectly. It is therefore important not to keep them in too small enclosures, individually or with poor nutrition. In Peru they currently live semi-wild. Due to their large territory, however, it is all the more difficult to find the excreta and to collect them individually. Behind every bean is a lot of human work.
A cup now costs up to 75 euros in cafés on the streets of New York and Tokyo, about 900 euros a whole kilo if it is purchased abroad. If you are a frahling lover travelling in Peru, you should not miss Satipo. Because here the kilo costs converted only approximately 200 euro and thus a fraction of the dealer prices. However, you should also have a high-quality fully automatic coffee machine to get the best out of the special coffee beans.
Region Satipo
Satipo: The evergreen country with jungle climate
But coffee is not the only reason why the Satipo region in Peru is worth a visit. From Lima we cross the Andes to the Junín region. In the east is the province of Satipo with the capital of the same name, named after the river Satipo, which flows into the Amazonas in the north. Therefore a real jungle climate and an exciting history are waiting for you here. Satipo was shaped on the one hand by Austrian immigrants during the economic crisis around 1929, but on the other hand unfortunately also by the destructive rule of members of the “Sendero Luminoso” in the 1980s and 1990s. Who dares the detour to Satipo and takes the sometimes difficult journey over the Andes on himself, is welcomed for it with an evergreen splendour and can undertake unforgettable migrations into the moderate jungle – the perfect view thus for tourists, who do not dare (yet) to approach the depths of the South American jungle.
Satipo between peaceful natural baths and restless city
In addition to the coffee, the waterfalls and natural pools invite you to a refreshing swim and attract visitors from all over the world to Satipo. The capital of the same name has its own flair. It is 627 metres above sea level and offers everything from small bungalows and large hotels to numerous restaurants, bars & co. that tourists could wish for during their stay. The city is regarded as restless and the perfect location to get an insight into the real life of the Peruvian population – far away from the tourist beaches or international capital. Nevertheless, the city of Satipo is usually regarded as a secondary location even when travelling to the province. Nature has too much to offer in the surrounding area and for many visitors it is too remote to stay there for a long time. Afterwards, most of them go further north – in The direction of the Amazon….
Where to stay
