About the Producer/Farm
This coffee comes from Finca Chilamate, one of the farms operated by Las Lajas Micromill in Costa Rica's Central Valley. The project is led by Oscar and Francisca Chacón, third-generation coffee producers whose dedication to quality and innovation has helped shape modern Costa Rican specialty coffee.
Following a devastating earthquake in 2008 that disrupted water access across the region, the Chacón family began experimenting with alternative processing methods. What started as a necessity soon evolved into a passion for innovation, leading Las Lajas to become one of Costa Rica's most influential pioneers of natural and honey processing.
This particular lot features the Parainema variety and is processed using the farm's signature Alma Negra ("Black Soul") method. The cherries are carefully selected at peak ripeness and undergo an extended natural drying process, allowing sugars and fruit compounds to slowly develop within the bean. The result is a coffee with remarkable sweetness, complexity, and depth, while still maintaining clarity and structure in the cup.
Region / Terroir
Located on the slopes surrounding Poás Volcano in Costa Rica's Central Valley, Finca Chilamate benefits from fertile volcanic soils, cool mountain temperatures, and a climate well suited for slow and even cherry maturation.
The region's combination of altitude, rainfall, and nutrient-rich soil creates ideal conditions for producing coffees with vibrant acidity and layered sweetness. In this Parainema lot, those environmental factors are expressed through a profile of winey, blackberry, and bright citrus, supported by a wine-like acidity and candy-like sweetness that are characteristic of the Alma Negra style.