Discovery Set - Villa Sarchi

Explore the cultivar Villa Sarchi through two expressions. One washed processed lot from Hacienda La Luisa and one natural processed lot from Finca El Refugio.

This set features the same cultivar grown just a few hours away from each other in Costa Rica, delivering two very different flavour profiles. La Luisa gives us a clean and refined approach, its high sweetness and subtle florality showcase the cultivar’s natural profile. Whereas the careful fermentation at El Refugio unveils the deep and complex fruity side that Villa Sarchi rarely presents.

Villa Sarchi is a distinctly Costa Rican coffee cultivar with a unique history. Like Caturra and Pacas, Villa Sarchi is a natural mutation of Bourbon caused by a single-gene mutation known as “Dwarf/Compactism,” which results in a smaller, more compact plant. First discovered in Costa Rica in the 1950s in the province of Alajuela near the town of Sarchi, the variety has since undergone careful pedigree selection to improve quality and consistency. Villa Sarchi is particularly well adapted to high-altitude environments and strong winds, though it remains relatively rare outside of Costa Rica.

The flavour profile of Villa Sarchi typically leads with a distinct floral honey sweetness, bright acidity and full-bodied texture, yet the plant itself is rather susceptible to certain diseases. In the late 1960’s it was cross bred with Timor Hybrid to bolster its disease resistance and this led to the creation of many popular Central American varieties such as Parainema and Marsellesa.

1 x 250g Hacienda La Luisa (Costa Rica)

Smooth butterscotch and floral honey sweetness lead the cup, backed up with notes of yellow stone fruit and milk chocolate. Finishing with an almost buttery, pastry-like quality.

1 x 250g Finca El Refugio (Costa Rica)

Complex and fruity, with layers of wild strawberry, plum and black grape. Rich honey sweetness and juicy texture throughout, with a subtle cascara tea finish.

Whole bean only.

A note about packaging

Our bags are #4 (LDPE—Low Density Polyethylene) made with 30% post consumer recycled plastic which can be recycled with carrier bags. These are widely collected at supermarkets and may even be collected by your local council. Find out how to refill or dispose of your Steampunk packaging HERE.

This offering from Steampunk Coffee highlights the unique profile of the Villa Sarchi varietal, a natural mutation of Bourbon discovered in the Costa Rican highlands. Grown in Costa Rica, this specific lot presents a complex sensory experience, featuring notes of butterscotch, floral honey, and milk chocolate balanced by a vibrant array of yellow stone fruit, wild strawberry, plum, and black grape. The inclusion of cascara tea notes further rounds out the cup’s character.

When exploring such diverse flavor profiles, it is helpful to reference the flavor wheel to better identify the nuances between fruit-forward acidity and deeper, sugar-browning sweetness. While every harvest is distinct, coffees from this region are often celebrated for their balance and clarity. This selection serves as an excellent entry point for those looking to understand the specific contributions of the Villa Sarchi plant to the final cup.