From source to sip
The story behind your next cup.
Grown at Tarrazú's upper elevations , where thin air and volcanic soil create the tension between richness and brightness. Dark chocolate meets red apple citrus. Classic washed processing lets terroir speak clearly.
La Cuesta sits at 1,650-1,850 meters, the upper range of Tarrazú's coffee-growing altitudes. At this elevation, cooler temperatures slow cherry maturation, extending the growing season and developing the density and complexity that define premium lots. The thin air and intense sunlight create stress that concentrates sugars and acids in the bean.
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The Coffee Story
The SourceHigh-Elevation Precision
La Cuesta sits at 1,650-1,850 meters, the upper range of Tarrazú's coffee-growing altitudes. At this elevation, cooler temperatures slow cherry maturation, extending the growing season and developing the density and complexity that define premium lots. The thin air and intense sunlight create stress that concentrates sugars and acids in the bean.
Volcanic soil dating back millennia provides mineral richness and excellent drainage. Morning mists blanket the hillsides, while afternoons bring sun that pushes photosynthesis. The distinct dry season during harvest, January through March, allows precise processing without rain interrupting the drying schedule. These are the conditions that earned Tarrazú its Denomination of Origin status.
The CraftWashed: Revealing Elevation
Traditional wet processing strips away everything that isn't essential. Ripe cherries are depulped within hours of harvest, then fermented in clean water for 14-16 hours to break down the sticky mucilage. A double-wash follows, unusual attention to cleanliness that Tarrazú producers pride themselves on.
Sun-drying on raised beds takes 10-14 days, with beans turned regularly for even moisture removal. No fruit sugars remain to add sweetness. No extended fermentation creates funk. What you taste is pure terroir: the elevation's brightness, the volcanic soil's minerals, the variety's chocolate undertones. Transparency is the goal.
The CupRichness Meets Brightness
Dark chocolate provides weight and depth from the first sip, but red apple brightness quickly follows, cutting through the richness with crisp acidity. Caramel sweetness balances in the mid-palate, while citrus zest adds complexity to the finish. The medium-full body has substance without heaviness, and bright acidity provides structure that keeps you reaching for another sip. This is the balance Tarrazú is famous for, neither chocolate-heavy nor citrus-dominant, but integrated.
