Costa Rica: Tarrazú San Diego Jaguar Honey

Beneficio San Diego is the most modern mill in Costa Rica. It was established in 1888 and has been innovating ever since. Today Beneficio San Diego specializes in coffees from Tarrazú and Tres Ríos regions. The mill takes pride in striving for ever increasing efficiency and quality standards. At the same time, it has taken a leading role in working with producers to ensure good community relations and sustainable production.

The honey process started in Costa Rica and has since spread to other countries in Central America. In this process some or all of the mucilage of the coffee cherry - or coffee honey - that coats the parchment is left on during the drying stage, giving the coffee a sweetness that resembles a natural.

As the average farm size of three hectares in the Tarrazú region, this unique honey coffee is produced by a community of farmers who deliver to the San Diego wet mill. These are carefully selected during the harvest, based on their farm condition and cherry ripeness.

This coffee was selected for its incredibly exceptional cup profile. Given the uniqueness and complexity of the honey process, no two honey coffees are alike. This craft process starts with the strict selection of perfectly ripe cherries, once the coffee is depulped the mucilage is left on allowing the natural sugars to enhance the coffees sweetness. The coffee is then dried on African beds or patios, allowing the coffee to dry in a slow and even way.

This is another beautiful farmgate coffee that is great as espresso. Each "El Jaguar" coffee means that money from the purchase of this coffee is donated to Fundazoo for jaguar preservation.

Cupping Notes: Chocolate, nectarine, guava, berry, honey, and citrus

Brew Recommendations: Espresso, drip, French press, pour-over

Farm Gate Coffee: Farmers paid at least 50% above Fair Trade

Varietals: Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai

Region: Tarrazú

Altitude: 1200-1750 meters above sea level

Processing Method: Honey process and patio sun-dried

Equity and Transparency Pricing Levels

Sustaining Level: $18 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Uplifting Level: $23 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Benefacting Level: $30 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Sourced from the renowned Costa Rica · Tarrazú region, the San Diego Jaguar Honey is a standout offering from Keia & Martyn's Coffee. Produced by Beneficio San Diego at elevations ranging from 1200 to 1750 masl, this lot utilizes the honey process. Honey-processed coffees are often characterized by a balance between the clarity of washed beans and the syrupy sweetness of natural-processed coffees, as the mucilage left on the bean during drying influences the final cup profile. You can learn more about the nuances of these processing methods to better understand how they impact the final extraction. When evaluating the complex interplay of chocolate, nectarine, guava, berry, honey, and citrus notes found in this specific roast, referencing a flavor wheel can be an excellent way to refine your palate and identify the subtle distinctions within these diverse flavor categories.