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Aquiares Estate is one of Costa Rica's largest and oldest coffee farms, located high on the fertile slopes of Turrialba Volcano. With a century-long history, the estate is known for its sustainable Arabica coffee cultivation, preserving its natural beauty and supporting a community of 1,800 residents.
Named "land between rivers" in the indigenous Huetar language, Aquiares has abundant water sources that benefit downstream communities. The farm's diverse ecosystem, protected by forested buffer zones, supports local wildlife and vegetation.
Established in 1890 and transitioning to local ownership in 1971, it's now the country's largest continuous coffee farm, emphasizing quality and traceability in its production. Under Don Alfonso's management since 1992, Aquiares has become a thriving community, offering amenities comparable to Costa Rica's capital.
A hybrid of Rume Sudan and Sarchimor, the Centroamericano variety is developed by a variety of Central American coffee research institutes. It is found to be highly compatible to the high elevation of the farm and consistently yields quiality cups.
The farm ensures quality by handpicking all coffee, especially in microlots, with skilled harvesters selecting only fully ripe cherries after multiple visits to each tree. Cherries are then moved into Aquiares' wet mill, where floaters are sifted out and the selected cherries immediately moved to the farm's solar dryer patios. After about 3 days of pre-drying, cherries are transported to raised beds in the covered greenhouse to slow dry for about 10 days. The process is complete after another day in a mechanical dryer in Guardiola.
This coffee exhibits a round and syrupy mouthfeel, coupled with the jammy sweetness of black plums that end off in a dark chocolate finish.
Recommended to rest beans for 7-10 days from roast date before consuming.