Costa Rican - La Amistad
Organic, Shade Grown, Hand-Picked
Swiss Chocolate, Caramel, Brown Sugar
This is a wonderful USDA Certified Organic coffee from third generation coffee grower Roberto Montero (pictured on the bag label).
Hacienda La Amistad has operated an Organic, Fair Trade, Shade-Grown coffee estate since 1940, set deep in the rainforest that they actively conserve.
General Flavor Observations
Costa Rican - La Amistad
One of the first things you will notice, at any roast level, is that this coffee is incredibly well balanced; very centered with regard to the overall body of the coffee to the brightness and acidity.
The body is medium with round notes of Swiss Chocolate, caramel, and brown sugar sweetness.
The mouthfeel is smooth and rolling, with notes of dark cherry in the finish.
The aroma is enticing with notes of chocolate and nuts.
This Organic Costa Rican gem is one of those coffees where everything comes together in coffee perfection.
We love this coffee, and believe you will too!
Roast Level Profile Notes
Costa Rican - La Amistad
My preferred roast level for this coffee is a
Full City roast, but each roast has something unique and wonderful to offer, so don't hesitate to experiment!
We are always happy to accommodate any roast level you prefer.
The notes below illustrate how the various roast levels will change the profile:
City Roast (light roast)
This roast level will produce a milder, nutty cup with notes of cocoa nibs, cashews, and hints of raspberry.
The overall mouth-feel is light, yet smooth. The finish will be crisp, sweet, and dry.
Full City Roast (medium roast) - Preferred
A Full City roast level and will provide a solid, medium bodied cup with distinct notes of Swiss Chocolate, toasty caramel, and a brown sugar sweetness.
The mouth feel is round and smooth with a perfect overall balance.
The brightness of the cup is mild with subtle notes of dark cherry on the finish.
There is a really interesting and elusive complexity at this roast level as well.
Full City (+) Roast
A Full City (+) roast will subdue the brightness nicely, and will add body that is deeper and more full.
The chocolate will begin to transform to dark chocolate while the finish remains clean and sweet.
Vienna Roast
A Vienna Roast will transform the coffee into a full bodied coffee with clear notes of bittersweet dark chocolate and a toffee sweetness.
Almost no acidity or fruit notes will remain.
This would be an excellent choice as an after dinner coffee with dessert or following a rich meal.
French Roast
Not recommended.
Additional Information
Costa Rican - La Amistad
La Hacienda La Amistad is located in Las Mellizas, Costa Rica, near the Panamanian border, and is owned and operated by Roberto Montero, a third generation coffee farmer.
The Estate conserves approximately 23,465 acres of virgin rainforest which ranges from Premontane Rainforest through Alpine Paramo. The land is divided into small areas for coffee growing and organic agriculture, with the majority of it devoted to conservation and eco-tourism.
The coffee hillsides are interspersed among patches of forest, rivers, springs and waterfalls to ensure that the farm has minimal, if any, impact on the diverse ecosystem that exists within the 23,000 plus acres of land. 95% of this land is dedicated to being a natural reserve, while 5% is utilized for coffee and fruit production.
La Amistad means 'friendship' in Spanish, and this serves as a perfect description of the relationship between nature and humans in the Reserve.
Hacienda La Amistad has operated an organic, fair trade, shade-grown coffee estate since 1940, set deep within the rainforest that they actively conserve.
Established in 1937, the farm has been growing organically long before there was even a certification process.
- Origin: Las Mellizas, Costa Rica
- Traceable: La Amistad family-owned farm and rainforest reserve
- Elevation: 3,937 - 4,921 ft.
- Process: Fully Washed, Hand-picked
- Drying: Sun and mechanical
- Varietals: Caturra, Catuai
