Costa Rica Las Lajas Perla Negra Natural

Tasting Notes: Mixed Berry, Date, Sparkling

Origin: Costa Rica

Region: Sabanilla de Alajuela, Central Valley

Farm: Finca Los Angeles, Las Lajas Micromill

Process: Perla Negra Natural

Variety: Common Costa Rican Varieties

Elevation: 1400–1600 masl

Importer: Cafe Imports

We are excited to have another wonderful coffee from the Las Lajas micromill, owned by Oscar and Francisca Chacón. The Chacóns are third-generation coffee producers in Costa Rica and we've been fortunate to have sourced their coffee for several years now. The micromill is located in the Sabanilla de Alajuela region of the Central Valley and the Chacón's source coffee from several farms that they either own or work with. 

The Chacón's are considered innovators in the area of natural and honey-processed coffees, having been some of the first farmers to use these methods within Costa Rica. They started the Las Lajas micromill in 2005 to have greater control over the quality and consistency of the processing and pricing of their lots. Through continuous experimentation and refinement they've been able to produce some of the most consistent and high quality coffees available. The Chacón's have developed and mastered several distinct methods of honey and natural processing that allow them to fine tune the flavor profile they wish to create from a given selection of cherries.

This offering is a special microlot selection from their farm, Finca Los Angeles. It was processed with their "Perla Negra" natural processing method where ripe coffee cherries with a high percentage of brix degrees are spread in a thin layer on raised beds to dry in the sun. After a week the beans are rested in the shade (cold) and then transferred to the greenhouse patio to continue dehydration, with the cherries moved twice a day. This makes for an extremely slow drying process that allows the development of complex, heavily fruited flavors.

The flavor profile of this coffee is truly astounding with sparkling notes of mixed berry and date. If you love sweet, fruit-forward coffees be sure to give this one a try!