Blueprint's Peru San Miguel: A Community-Driven Cup of Comfort

In the world of specialty coffee, we often chase the extraordinary - those cups that surprise and challenge us with their unique flavor profiles. But sometimes, what we need most is a coffee that feels like coming home. Blueprint Coffee's Peru San Miguel is exactly that - a thoughtfully sourced, community-produced coffee that prioritizes consistency and approachability without sacrificing quality.

Coffee Details

🌍 Origin: Peru
🗺️ Region: Jaén, Cajamarca
👨‍🌾 Producer: San Miguel Comité
🏔️ Elevation: 1600-2100 MASL
🌱 Process: Washed
🫘 Varietals: Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, Pache
💰 Price: $21 for a 12oz bag
🛒 Where to Buy: Blueprint Coffee

The Story Behind the Bean

This coffee represents something bigger than just a single farm or producer - it's the product of what Origin Coffee Labs calls a "comité," a collective of neighboring farmers in the Jaén region who have joined forces to bring their coffees to the specialty market. It's a beautiful example of how community cooperation can overcome the challenges faced by small-plot farmers in remote regions.

A Journey Through the Cup

The moment you take your first sip, you're greeted with a profile that's distinctly Peruvian, yet carries its own unique character. The cup presents a medley of flavors that evolve as the coffee cools:

• Prominent nutty notes form the backbone of the profile
• Delicate stone fruit adds complexity and depth
• Crisp apple acidity emerges as the cup cools
• White tea characteristics provide a clean, refined finish

What makes this coffee special isn't necessarily its boldness or uniqueness, but rather its thoughtful balance and reliability. It's the kind of coffee that becomes a daily companion, offering comfort and consistency with each brew.

The Partnership Model

Behind this approachable cup lies a fascinating partnership story. Origin Coffee Labs, Blueprint's exporting partner in Peru, has developed a system that benefits everyone in the supply chain:

• Rapid 2-hour evaluation and purchase process
• Above-market rates for quality coffee
• Quality-based price premiums to encourage improvement
• Direct feedback to farmers about their lots
• Support for small-plot farmers through the comité system

Processing and Production

The washed processing method used for this coffee helps highlight the clean, classic characteristics of these high-altitude beans. The combination of multiple varietals - Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, and Pache - contributes to a well-rounded cup profile that showcases the best of what Peru has to offer.

Brewing Thoughts

While this coffee may not "blow your socks off" with intense acidity or fruit-forward flavors, its versatility across brewing methods makes it a valuable addition to any coffee lover's rotation. It's particularly well-suited for those seeking:

• A reliable daily driver
• A crowd-pleasing option for sharing with friends
• A forgiving coffee that performs well across different brewing methods
• A gateway into specialty coffee for those new to the scene

The Final Verdict

Blueprint's Peru San Miguel represents something important in the specialty coffee world - the value of consistency and approachability. While it might not compete with the most experimental processes or rare varietals, it excels at being exactly what it aims to be: a dependable, enjoyable cup that will "keep you warm all winter long and happy."

At $21 for a 12oz bag, it offers excellent value for a coffee that not only delivers a quality cup but also supports a sustainable, community-focused sourcing model. It's a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful coffees aren't the ones that shock us with their uniqueness, but rather those that provide reliable comfort while supporting positive change in coffee-growing communities.

For those looking to explore Peruvian coffee or anyone seeking a reliable daily drinker that maintains specialty coffee standards while remaining approachable, San Miguel delivers. It's a testament to the fact that coffee doesn't need to be revolutionary to be remarkable - sometimes being consistently good is more than enough.

Here's to the farmers of the San Miguel comité, to Origin Coffee Labs' commitment to sustainable partnerships, and to Blueprint Coffee for bringing this community-driven cup to our homes. After all, what more could we ask for?