Costa Rica Tarrazu - La Pastora
Shade Grown, Fully Washed, Strictly Hard Bean
Milk Chocolate, Caramel, Orange
We are very excited about this Tarrazu coffee from Coopetarrazú.
The Tarrazu region is well-known for producing outstanding coffee and this particular lot has the Highest Designation of SHB (Strictly Hard Bean) for quality and flavor; more on SHB below.
This wonderful Costa Rica Tarrazu offers an above average sweetness and a round, smooth body.
This offering is grown by small producers on farms of 9 acres or less, and their attention to production and detail is obvious in the cup.
For fans of Costa Rica coffees, this a must try!
General Flavor Observations
Costa Rica Tarrazu - La Pastora
This is a medium-bodied coffee with round notes of milk chocolate, caramel, and brown sugar sweetness.
Delicious notes of orange are present in lighter roasts; dark chocolate and velvety texture in darker roasts.
The mouth feel is luxuriously smooth and rolling with a clean, crisp, sweet finish.
The aroma will draw you in with anticipation of the cup.
There is an unexpected complexity in the medium and lighter roasts, providing an amazing and intriguing profile due to the combination of quality control and very high growing altitudes.
Simply an astounding coffee!
Roast Level Profile Notes
Costa Rica Tarrazu - La Pastora
I personally prefer a
Full City roast for the best balance between all attributes.
However, all of the roast levels have something unique and wonderful to offer.
We are always happy to accommodate any roast level you prefer.
The notes below illustrate how changing the roast level will alter the profile:
City Roast (light roast)
This is the best choice for experiencing pure Origin
Characteristics.
This roast level will offer a brighter acidity, notable tones of tangerine, mild
chocolate and hints of malty sweetness, and a clean, crisp finish.
This roast level will provide the most complex profile.
Full City Roast (medium roast) - Preferred
This is my favorite roast level and will provide a super smooth, medium-bodied cup, with abundant milk chocolate tones.
The round, creamy mouth-feel is surrounded by a rich caramel and brown sugar sweetness that provides a perfect balance with the pleasantly crisp finish and notes of orange.
Full City (+) Roast
Here you will enjoy a more velvety mouth-feel and an increased sense of depth.
The acidity is a bit tempered, and the chocolate tones become slightly edgier (like Baker's chocolate).
The brown sugar sweetness and caramel remain, and the finish is clean and pointed with hints of citrus.
Vienna Roast
This roast level will transform the coffee into a fuller bodied cup with
clear notes of bittersweet dark chocolate.
The acidity is very well tempered, yet subtle fruit notes will remain.
This would be an excellent choice for an after-dinner coffee with dessert or following a rich meal.
French Roast
Not recommended.
Additional Information
Costa Rica Tarrazu - La Pastora
Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) coffees are particularly sought after as the extreme growing elevations allow for a
slower development of the coffee cherry, while nutrient concentrations in the soil impart a much higher quality in terms of flavor.
These higher elevations also mean the crop yield is lower, and it is more labor-intensive to grow, harvest, and transport the coffee.
SHB coffees are outstanding in terms of quality and profile.
This lot was cultivated under a canopy of native trees, which helps regulate temperature, maintain soil health, and support biodiversity; a common practice in Tarrazu due to its ideal microclimate and tradition of sustainable farming.
Coopetarrazú was originally established in 1960 by a group of 228 small coffee producers in San Marcos de Tarrazú
The coop has grown to become one of the most important contributors to the economic development of the Los Santos region of Tarrazú and continues to assist its more than 5,000 members with technical assistance, low-cost loans, and sustainable practices.
Coopetarrazú remains a voice for the small producer members, something that was previously dominated by large producers in the region, helping to establish fair and equal profits for the growers.
- Origin: Costa Rica
- Region: Tarrazu
- Elevation: 4,265 feet
- Process: Fully Washed
- Drying: Mechanical
- Arabica Variety: Caturra, Catuai
