Costa Rica Volcán Azul

This lot comes from Volcán Azul, a fifth generation estate on the fertile volcanic slopes of the Poás Volcano in Costa Rica's West Valley. The farm is run today by Alejo Castro Kahle, a descendant of two coffee families, Alejo C. Jiménez in Costa Rica and Wilhelm Kahle in Mexico, whose shared ambition to grow world class coffee reaches back to the 19th century. Alongside their pursuit of quality, the family has protected more than 1,500 hectares of tropical rainforest since the 1980s, a commitment to conservation that runs as deep as their commitment to the cup.

Grown at around 1,600 metres, this lot is entirely gesha, a variety prized for its delicate florals and rare cup quality. The anaerobic natural process begins in the field, with cherries picked only at peak ripeness and their sugar levels checked before harvest to confirm ideal maturation. They're then sealed whole into fermentation tanks fitted with a one-way valve, which releases the fermentation gases while keeping oxygen out. Finally, the cherries are dried slowly in the fruit, coaxing out the deep, layered sweetness this method is known for.