Archive: Costa Rica Francisco Mena

This year’s Lactico Honey opens with bright White Grape and ripe Plum, flavors that carry through each sip with elegant clarity. A subtle, wine-like funk adds depth without overwhelming, tying everything together into a cup that is layered, balanced, and complex.

The Archive: Costa Rica Francisco Mena, offered by Verve Coffee Roasters, highlights the innovative work of producer Francisco Mena. This selection showcases the unique profile achieved through the Lactico Honey process, a specialized technique that influences the final cup character. Generally, processing methods like honey processing—which leaves a portion of the coffee cherry’s mucilage on the bean during drying—often result in increased sweetness and body compared to fully washed coffees.

Sourced from Costa Rica, this lot presents distinct tasting notes of white grape and plum. These specific fruit-forward characteristics can be mapped against a standard flavor wheel to better understand the nuances of the cup. By balancing traditional cultivation with experimental fermentation, this coffee serves as a compelling example of how meticulous post-harvest handling can shape the sensory experience, offering a bright and complex profile that reflects the dedication of the producer.