Centroamericano

Aquiares is owned by Diego Robelo and his family, and located on the slopes of the Turrialba volcano at 1400 MASL, it is the largest coffee plantation in a single block in Costa Rica. The land is sectioned by several watercourses that connect the two large rivers that surround the farm, the Turrialba and the Aquiares. It is a majestic natural setting where a small pre-Columbian community lived hundreds of years ago and vestiges of which can still be found. This is the eighth consecutive year in which we have worked together and the seventh in which we have made a direct deal.

We negotiate the price directly with Diego and he acts as the exporter, so the commission also stays on the farm. We also import it ourselves, contracting the container directly from Costa Rica to Barcelona.

And this year we are even more proud to collaborate with Aquiares, as they have been certified by the sustainability consultancy Enveritas as a company that complies with the EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation).

"We have a great responsibility as coffee producers, not only to our immediate buyers but also to the future generations of Costa Rica," explains their CEO, Diego Robelo. "We are proud to have received this recognition from Enveritas and even more proud to have passed this test in our alliance with NOMAD COFFEE, with whom we have been working for 8 years. We can now guarantee to all our main customers that our coffee is and will continue to be deforestation free".

NOMAD COFFEE is delighted to celebrate the certification of Aquiares, a centenary coffee plantation in operation since 1890, which is also the largest in Costa Rica to be carbon neutral. But Aquiares' efforts are not limited to this: it has 620 hectares of coffee grown under shade trees and another 200 hectares of protected forests. Thanks to its dedication and savoir faire, it now exports to more than 20 countries.

The Central American variety is an F1 hybrid obtained by crossing Sarchimor and Sudan Rumé. It is resistant to diseases such as rust and has a high yield.

Produced by Diego Robelo in the Turrialba region of Costa Rica, this Centroamericano lot showcases the potential of the F1 varietal. Cultivated at 1400 masl, the coffee reflects the specific terroir of this unique growing area. As a hybrid varietal, F1 is often studied for its balance of disease resistance and cup quality, making it a compelling subject for those exploring modern coffee breeding.

This offering is roasted by Dayglow, a roaster known for highlighting the distinct characteristics of individual producers. When evaluating the nuances of such a specific regional profile, it is helpful to reference the flavor wheel to better identify the complex aromatic compounds present in the cup. While every harvest varies, coffees from Turrialba are frequently noted for their distinct environmental influences, providing a clear window into the work of producers like Robelo who are pushing the boundaries of quality in the region.