Costa Rica La Amistad

These beans were grown on the farm of La Amistad ("Friendship") which is both organic certified and bird friendly (Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center certified). It is a washed process Costa Rican. It is made up of Caturra and Catuai and grown at an altitude of 4000-5000 feet above sea level right on the edge of Panama. The majority of the land around the farm is the largest wildlife reserve in Costa Rica (La Amistad International Park) and is made up of land that was donated by the same family that owns the coffee farm. 

This bean is best at Full City. You're not QUITE to the 2nd cracks, but you're definitely heading that direction. Another 30 seconds and you'd be there. The lighter roasts have a grassy-underdevloped taste, or the taste of coffee-cherry (cascara) which isn't necessarily unpleasant, but it is indicitive of an underroasted bean.

The sweet spot gets you a lemon/lime citrus flavor with pear, raisin, chocolate, and floral notes. Compared to many Costa Rica options, this one is brighter, less sweet, and more complex, more floral. I prefer it because it is a more interesting coffee, but if you are looking for the traditional caramel notes, it doesn't have that. So it is really personal preference, but everything this coffee stands for is worth supporting.

US Arrival: May 2025