North Star Blend x TCHO Chocolate Bundle

The primary component of North Star is a coffee produced by members of La Prosperidad de Chirinos, a coffee grower’s cooperative located in northern Peru’s San Ignacio province, within the Cajamarca growing region. Cajamarca, which extends to the Ecuador border, is situated in the Andes mountains, the longest mountain range in the world. Since being founded in 1968, Chirinos has grown from 36 to over 700 members, some of whom have been a part of the organization since its inception. The group aims to improve the quality of life for its members through education, sustainability initiatives, and food security programs, as well as the diversification of their lands.

To complement the chocolaty and nutty flavors of the Chirnos coffee, we included a natural, or dry processed coffee produced by members of Cooperativa Escuela Modesto Armijo (PROCAFE). Located in the municipality of San Juan del Río Coco in the Madriz department of Nicaragua. The group was created in 2011 to promote the coffees produced in the area and provide training and market access to the coffee growers in the community. Currently, PROCAFE has 165 members, of which 56 are women. Natural, or dry processed coffee is left to dry with the coffee cherry fully intact on the beans, resulting in a fruit-forward flavor profile. While used in a relatively small percentage in this blend, the impact on the blend’s flavor is apparent.

5% of sales from North Star Blend will support the Prosperidad de Chirinos cooperative in Peru, specifically the Cosecha de Mujer women’s entrepreneurial program at their bakery in Jaén, helping diversify income for co-op members.

Climate change is disproportionately affecting the tropical and subtropical regions where coffee is grown:

- 50% of global land area suitable for coffee production may be lost by 2050 due to climate change

- 60% of coffee species are considered at high risk of extinction

- 25M smallholder coffee growers are at risk of losing their primary source of income due to declining coffee yields

Regenerative agriculture--a practice of holistic farming where everything is seen as interconnected and vital--can build resilience to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect the future of coffee and our planet. ROC was established in 2017 to promote holistic agriculture practices in an all-encompassing certification that champions three pillars:

1. Soil Health & Land Management
2. Animal Welfare
3. Farmer & Worker Fairness

In addition to being Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC®), all components of North Star are also Fair Trade certified.