Costa Rica is one of our favourite coffee producing countries, and we love being able to trade directly with producers via the help of Selva Coffee. Selva is a small export business based in Tarrazu with their own cupping lab and direct connections to some of the best coffee producers in the country. Costa Rica is a beautiful country know for its focus on environment and sustainability, and this is very evident in the coffee industry. Coffee from Costa Rica can showcase many different processing styles and flavour profiles from wild, juicy natural process coffees to soft, delicate honey processed coffees. Some small producers and co-operatives also produce washed coffees, and experimental processes like anaerobic fermentation have also become very popular. 

We first bought coffee from San Juanillo farm in 2019 and managed to fit in a visit in February 2020 just before Covid-19 put a halt to all international air travel. This year we bought three different coffees from the farm, a honey, natural and carbonic maceration.

After harvesting the coffee is transported to the Patalillo micro mill. The coffee cherry is floated in a fermentation tank to remove any defective cherry. The cherry is then fermented for 12-16 hours after the flotation process. This kick starts the natural fermentation process, and tests indicate that this can contribute to better flavours in the cup. 

After resting the coffee is pulped to remove the outer layer of fruit and the coffee is taken directly to concrete patios to be dried. The coffee is turned regularly to ensure even drying. Using a controlled drying process they are able to create a natural processed coffee that dries slowly helping to increase fruit flavours.