Costa Rica Don Joel

Farm: Don Joel

Varietal: SL28 Kenia (Kenya) 

Process: Washed

Roast level: Dark Roast 

Zoka Cupping Score: 87

Cupping Notes: Dark Caramel, Woodsy, Cherry Wine 

Cupping Notes: 

We dark roasted this Kenya varietal coffee to bring out the deep, comforting nutty and deep fruit notes - creating a rich, full-bodied cup that’s both bold and approachable. Using a single origin coffee like this Don Joel preserves a sense of place, offering clarity and structure beneath the roast—so you get depth without losing character.

We build long-term relationships with Farmers and select the best coffees available from their harvests year after year.

Produced by Don Joel, this Costa Rica Don Joel selection from Zoka Coffee offers a unique profile for those exploring the intersection of origin and variety. While the coffee is grown in Kenya, it features the SL28 varietal, a plant famously developed for its resilience and complex acidity. This specific lot undergoes a washed process, a method typically employed to highlight the inherent clarity and brightness of the bean.

In the cup, the roaster identifies notes of dark caramel, woodsy undertones, and cherry wine. These descriptors can be mapped against the flavor wheel to better understand how the processing and varietal characteristics influence the final brew. For those interested in the broader context of the region, Kenya is widely recognized for producing coffees with distinct, vibrant profiles. This offering serves as an intriguing example of how traditional varietals perform when cultivated and processed with precision.