We are excited to introduce the fourth coffee to our ‘Special Reserve’ collection - Los Alpes, a naturally processed Catuai from Costa Rica’s Brunca region. Catuai has become one of the most widely grown varieties in Costa Rica, valued for its clean acidity and its ability to express terroir when processed meticulously - as demonstrated by this lot. The result is a beautifully rounded yet complex cup that’s fruit-forward in flavour and silky in mouthfeel. Expect prominent tropical notes of roasted pineapple, balanced by a vanilla-like sweetness and creamy flavour reminiscent of banana split. 

Behind this exceptional coffee is Aromas del Chirripo, a family-run farm and micro-mill.  The project began as a way to add value to their harvests and process it on their own, after years of growing and selling their coffee. Today, their focus is on producing high-quality coffees while staying committed to environmental sustainability - they’ve planted over 2,300 native trees across their farms so far.

Sitting at the foot of the tallest peak in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripo, the farm sits between 1500 and 1900 masl. The combination of high altitude, rich soils, biodiversity, and natural irrigation from nearby rivers all contribute to the distinctive character and exceptional quality of this coffee.

The process begins with picking the coffee cherries at their most ripe and uniform. Once at the wet mill, the cherries are placed in poly bags, laid on their side and flipped 3 times a day. After fermenting for 4-6 days, they are spread on covered ground or raised dry beds beneath a protective plastic roof. Over the course of a month, they are evenly dried to reach a stable moisture content - a process that results in a remarkable cup. 

Producer: Aromas del Chirripo

Origin: Brunca, Costa Rica 

Altitude: 1,750 msl

Varietal: Catuaí

Processing: Natural

Brew: V60 / Filter