Ecuador Loja/Pichincha (Typica Mejorado/Sidra)

Description

Data Profile

• Origin: Ecuador

• Region: Loja & Pichincha

• Altitude: 1,600 – 2,100 masl

• Variety: Typica Mejorado, Sidra

• Process: Washed or Anaerobic Washed (depending on producer)

• Farmers: Smallholder producers & specialty estates

• Harvest: May – September

Cupping Score

• SCAA Score: 87 – 89 (Specialty Grade)

• Fragrance/Aroma: Floral, tropical, elegant

• Flavor: Passionfruit, peach, jasmine, red berries

• Acidity: High, juicy, sparkling

• Body: Medium, silky

• Aftertaste: Sweet, complex, long-lasting

Region – Loja & Pichincha, Ecuador

Loja and Pichincha are among Ecuador’s most renowned coffee-growing regions. The Andean highlands provide fertile volcanic soils, high altitudes, and cool climates that foster slow cherry maturation, producing beans with unique complexity.

• Loja is traditionally considered the birthplace of Ecuadorian coffee, famous for bright acidity and clean cups.

• Pichincha, near the capital Quito, has gained attention in the specialty scene with innovative varieties and processing methods.

Both regions are pushing Ecuador into the spotlight as a rising star in the specialty coffee world.

Flavor Characteristics

Ecuadorian Typica Mejorado and Sidra are highly prized hybrid varieties known for their exotic and fruit-forward profiles:

• Fruity: tropical notes like passionfruit, mango, red berries, and peach

• Floral: jasmine, rose, and hibiscus aroma

• Sweetness: honey-like, with caramel undertones

• Mouthfeel: medium silky body with a refined, elegant texture

The combination of Typica Mejorado’s floral complexity and Sidra’s tropical fruitiness creates cups that are both unique and competition-worthy.

Significance

• Innovation in Varieties – Typica Mejorado and Sidra are Ecuador’s signature specialty cultivars, celebrated for their distinctive flavors.

• Global Recognition – Frequently featured in international barista competitions and sought after by top roasters worldwide.

• Specialty Coffee Movement – Ecuador, though small in production volume, has built a strong reputation for quality over quantity, with many lots scoring above 87+.

• Cultural Heritage – Coffee from Loja has deep historical roots, while Pichincha represents the modern, experimental edge of Ecuador’s specialty coffee.