Costa Rica | Volcan Azul | Caturra | Natural

Region: Alajuela, West Valley 

Elevation: 1400-1700 masl 

About: At Volcán Azul, the story starts long before the first cherry reaches the drying beds. In the early 1800s, two farmers, Alejo C. Jiménez in Costa Rica and Wilhelm Kahle in southern Mexico, set out with a simple aim: grow exceptional coffee for a growing European market. Their families carry on that work today, tending trees across three distinct Costa Rican regions on rich volcanic soil more than 1,400 metres above sea level. 

Quality here isn't a slogan, it's years of patient, careful farming. Alejo Kahle Castro now leads the farm, continuing a legacy of consistent Cup of Excellence placements, built on healthy soil, resilient varieties and strict picking standards. Among those varieties is Villa Sarchi, a compact, naturally occurring dwarf mutation of Bourbon discovered in Costa Rica in the 1950s, well suited to altitude and strong winds. 

Cherries are picked at peak ripeness, sorted meticulously, then dried slowly to let sugars and nuance develop. Conservation underpins it all, with rainforest protected to sustain the land itself.

Produced by Alejo Kahle Castro in the Alajuela region of the West Valley, this Costa Rica · Alajuela, West Valley offering showcases the meticulous work of Volcan Azul. The lot features the Caturra varietal, a staple of high-quality production known for its reliable performance and balanced profile. Grown at elevations between 1400 and 1700 masl, the cherries undergo a natural process, which often imparts a distinct sweetness and complexity to the final cup.

Roasted by Proud Mary Coffee, this selection highlights the intersection of traditional varietals and careful post-harvest handling. While natural-processed coffees frequently exhibit heavier fruit notes and a syrupy mouthfeel, the specific character of this lot reflects the unique microclimate of the West Valley. To better understand the nuances of this profile, we encourage you to reference the flavor wheel as you explore the depth of this Costa Rican harvest.