Kristell Áviles Flores, the Chief Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Peru in Vietnam (Photo credit: Embassy of Peru)

Bao Tram:  Thank you for taking the time with us! Can you tell us what is special about Peruvian coffee?

Kristell Áviles Flores: Thanks VOV for this interview. Peru's coffee is unique due to the hundreds of microclimates in the Andes regions. These variations in altitude, humidity, sunlight, and heat allow coffee plants to develop unique flavor profiles from nowhere else. A variety of coffee grown in one region of Peru can have a very different sensory profile than the same variety of coffee grown in another region.

Bao Tram:  How many varieties of coffee are there in Peru?

Kristell Áviles Flores: In Peru, we grow many varieties of coffee. 70% of the cultivated coffee corresponds to the Typica variety, 20% is Caturra and 10% represents coffee plantations of geisha, pacamara, bourbon, pache, and other varieties.

Bao Tram:  Vietnam is also considered the land of coffee. What makes Peruvian coffee different from Vietnamese coffee?

Kristell Áviles Flores: Vietnam grows Robusta coffee. While almost 100% of our coffee production is Arabic. The Robusta species has much more caffeine than the Arabic, being the fruit is Arabic and therefore very different.

Bao Tram:  How much coffee does Peru produce?

Kristell Áviles Flores: Peru is the leading producer and exporter of organic coffee and the 9th largest coffee exporter in the world. In 2022, we produced 234,200 tons of coffee.

Bao Tram:  As far as I understand, with the recent coffee week, Peru is targeting the Vietnamese market. What kinds of coffee does Peru want to introduce to Vietnamese consumers?

Kristell Áviles Flores: For the first edition of the Peruvian Coffee Week in Vietnam, the Embassy is introducing 6 specialty coffees from 4 regions in order to promote its export to the Vietnamese market. We are bringing geisha from Junin and another geisha from Pasco, one caturra from Junin, and another one from Ucayali, and Guantipeka, and a blend of catimor and bourbon from Amazonas. Last year, Peru exported coffee to Vietnam for the total amount of 3 million USD.

Bao Tram:  Coffee is my daily favorite drink. Which Peruvian brands do you recommend I  try?

Kristell Áviles Flores: In recent years, many companies, coffee grower cooperatives, and farmers have developed their own coffee brands. I recommend trying any Peruvian specialty coffee, especially if they have gained international recognition like Cafe de Las Noves.

Bao Tram: Thank you for the interesting information about Peru’s coffee. It helped us gain an overview of Peruvian coffee, a strong farm produce of both Vietnam and Peru.

Kristell Áviles Flores: Thanks again for the interview and greetings to the VOV listeners.