AQUIARES ESTATE - COSTA RICA

One of the most progressive coffee farms in the world, we are really pleased to have beans from the Aquiares Estate back in the Roastery for a third year.

Evolving from a plantation established by British farmers in 1890, Aquiares has become a model for the social and environmental good that coffee, when approached with intent, can do. Taken on by three Costa Rican families in 1971, it is now managed by the next generation. Alfonso Robelo has overseen the application of regenerative farming practices across the largest continuous coffee farm in Costa Rica, with 600Ha of tree-shaded coffee plants integrated with 200Ha of protected Rainforest. 

A Rainforest Alliance certified site since 2003, the estate became Carbon Neutral in 2016, and Carbon Negative in the years that have followed. This environmental commitment is married with Alfonso's deep sense of social justice; an ethos that has seen him set up schemes providing healthcare, education and childcare support to workers, as well as allowing long-term employees to build their own homes on Aquiares land. A truly pioneering place.

As with all Aquiares coffees, the cherries are handpicked and sorted before processing. In this case, that meant two days pre-drying on ceramic floors, ten days on raised beds, before a final day of mechanical drying between 28-45°C. This deep focus on controlled drying, combined with a light filter roast on our end has helped to bring out a fruit bomb for your morning cup, think aromatic gala melon, red berries and sweet almonds.

Region: Aquiares, Turrialba
Country: Costa Rica
Altitude : 1000 - 1400 m
Variety: Centroamericano
Process: Natural

Notes: Gala Melon, raspberry, marzipan 

Importer: Mercanta