COSTA RICA Tarrazu La Pastora

Processing: Washed; SCA Score: 84 points

 Elegant floral notes, sweet peaches, cherries, milk chocolate, a velvety body, and pleasant citrus acidity.

FARM: La Pastora

“La Pastora” coffee from Costa Rica SHB Tarrazú is ranked among the finest coffees in the world. This coffee is grown at high altitudes, above 1,200 meters, allowing it to be classified as Strictly Hard Bean (SHB). The soil is predominantly volcanic, contributing to the coffee's pronounced acidity.

The Tarrazú region is one of Costa Rica's most productive coffee-growing areas. Coffee from Tarrazú is renowned for its clean, clear flavors and excellent cup quality. Production ranges from large commercial associations to small family micro-lots.

Costa Rica has eight coffee-growing regions, with Tarrazú being the most famous. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Central Cordillera mountain range to the east, it is a region of lush vegetation and breathtaking landscapes. Above all, Tarrazú is an ideal location for growing Arabica coffee.

The high elevations and sedimentary soil composition favor the refined acidity for which these coffees are renowned, while the nearby Pirrís River provides the region with fresh water.

Well established in the region, the CoopeTarrazú cooperative was founded in 1960. Before its establishment, there were no nearby wet mills where farmers could bring their coffee, so coffee was mainly sold to intermediaries. Farmers also had limited knowledge of coffee production, resulting in low yields despite their hard work.

Today, CoopeTarrazú is the largest cooperative in the region, with more than 5,000 members delivering their coffee cherries to the community wet mill. Part of its strategy is to increase productivity through various training programs and farm-engineering visits.

In addition to producing high-quality coffee, its members are committed to the social development of local communities and to environmental protection through sustainable practices. Their initiatives include recycling programs, the use of renewable energy, and reducing water consumption.

Thanks to its favorable soil and climate conditions, the region is renowned for producing some of the world's finest coffees. The high elevations and consequently cooler nighttime temperatures allow the coffee cherries to mature more slowly, resulting in dense beans that qualify the coffee as Strictly Hard Bean (SHB).

Coffees from Tarrazú have already won several international barista and cupping competitions.