During our travel in Costa Rica in February we cupped a lot of coffees and toured farms and micromills. One of the coffees that surfaced was Jose Arce's Finca Chepe coffee from the small region within the West Valley called Llano Bonito de Naranjo, and it is then micromilled by the nearby Helsar De Zarcero. This winning combination piqued our palate last year as well, and in both years it was a blind assessment. This coffee is produced on a single, family-owned farm at an altitude of 5500 feet. Of note is the coordinated effort of both the farm where the coffee is grown and the mill where it is processed; where the freshly harvested coffee cherries are converted into green coffee ready for roasting. Varietal selected is 100% caturra, a natural mutation of classic Bourbon. The farm produces a mere 80 to 100 bags of coffee per year, about one third of a shipping container. Secondly, the Helsar de Zarcero mill is really referred to as a boutique or micro mill because of the care and individual attention brought to the processing of coffee cherry brought there. The mill works closely with a group of about ten area growers, such as Finca Chepe, combining extra care at the farm level with methods and techniques of the utmost quality at the mill level, all toward maximizing the the inherent nature of the coffee. The Helsar de Zarcero mill is owned by Ricardo Perez and Felipe and Marvin Rodrizuez who, in addition to owning and running the mill, are themselves growers (we have their organic coffee offered separately). The processing is fully washed, employing traditional fermentation techniques, however, the mill is unique in its use covered tents utilized when drying the coffee in its parchment skin. Ordinarily, coffee is dried on concrete patios in sun and sometimes rain. The tents act as greenhouses, protecting the coffee from rain. Both farm and mill are fully traceable. This coffee was prepared in Grainpro bags at origin and has been stored at our facility under ideal conditions. Cup Characteristics: Extremely bright and fruity with substantial body. Lush, refreshing and piquant. Layers of fruit-filled flavors, with just the right amount of snap; harmoniously balanced. Roasting Notes: Very dense, hard bean can withstand a lot of heat. Best to start slow letting the beans heat thoroughly, then ample heat can be applied. Approach Full City for broad flavor definition.
 | Jose Arce coming in from the fields at dusk. |
| Volume Price |
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| Pounds | Price LB |
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| 1 | $6.91 | | 2-4 | $6.56 | | 5-19 | $6.22 | | 20+ | $5.53 |
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| | | Click bag for larger view | |
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