Coffee Continent
Central America.
Coffee harvest year
2023-2024
Location of the plantation
1,600 to 1,750 meters above sea level.
Freshly Roasted Coffee
Freshly Roasted
Coffee category
Plantation
Grain coffee
ground on request
Costa Rica Reserved West Valley - at the heart of the coffee revolution
When I think of Costa Rica, I see not just picturesque hills and mist-shrouded valleys, but a country that has long been in love with coffee - and today combines a rich tradition with an innovative approach. When the beans from Piedades Sur in the West Valley region first came into my hands, I had the feeling that I was holding not just coffee, but a real story - a story of people, place and passion to be discovered sip by sip.
Costa Rica Reserved West Valley is a microlot grade bean coffee - the jewel of the specialty coffee collection in our Reserved line, roasted at Sochaccy Artisan Coffee Roasters. The beans come from the farm of Don Luis Eduardo Campos, one of the most creative coffee producers in Costa Rica. He is a man who, on the one hand, cherishes his family heritage and, on the other, is not afraid to experiment, often going against the grain. It was Luis who pioneered anaerobic fermentation in the region, as well as the creator of the process that sets this coffee apart - heat treatment.
Imagine ripe coffee berries hand-picked at 1600-1750 meters above sea level, in a place where the volcanic soil and tropical microclimate create ideal conditions for growing Arabica coffee. The sugar content here reaches up to 26 Brix - a huge potential for flavor. After selection, the cherries are partially stoned and then gently heated. The heat activates enzymes that break down the sugars and lead to partial caramelization. The result is a remarkable sweetness and aromatic notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, raisins and a long, pleasantly rum-like finish with a creamy body.
When brewing this coffee freshly roasted, I sense more than just flavor - it's a philosophy of conscious farming. Don Luis' farm has installed solar panels that cover all of the office's energy needs and half of the mill's consumption. The farm works with the NAMA program, which supports the production of low-carbon coffee. This is coffee created with love and responsibility - for people and for the planet.
Although the West Valley region is not yet as well-known as Tarrazú, it is where many coffees appreciated in international competitions come from. Piedades Sur, with its unique mix of microclimates and volcanic soil, is considered one of the most interesting places for innovative processing techniques. It is there that a new quality of Costa Rican coffee is born - bold, but deeply rooted in tradition.
Costa Rica Reserved West Valley received 87 SCA points, and its profile was rated high for harmony, sweetness and depth. But forget the numbers for a moment. Brew. Close your eyes. Taste. This coffee tells the story of the sun rising over the Don Luis farm, the artisanal precision and the aroma that rises from your cup. This is what soulful espresso machine coffee tastes like. It's the magic that only true specialty coffee provides - coffee that has a story.
