Costa Rica Las Lajas Estate Coffee Recommendation - Alma Negra Natural Process

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FrontStreet Coffee · Costa Rica Las Lajas Estate Alma Negra

Country: Costa Rica

Product Name: Las Lajas Estate Alma Negra

Region: Central Valley

Grade: SHB

Processing Method: Natural

Altitude: 1,300～1,500 meters

Variety: Caturra & Catuai

Las Lajas Estate is located in the Central Valley region at the foot of the Poás de Alajuela volcano, operated by the Chacón family for over 80 years. The estate sits at an altitude of 1,300～1,500 meters with an annual production of approximately 46,000 kilograms. The harvest season at Las Lajas Estate runs from December to February. The estate owner insists on harvesting only fully ripe, red cherries, mostly using honey and natural processing methods to enhance the coffee's sweetness and body. The coffee is placed on African-style raised beds to ensure even sun exposure and avoid over-fermentation. The estate also actively pursues international organic certification and has obtained certifications from USDA (USA), JAS (Japan), and NOP.

Las Lajas Estate: Excellence in Organic Coffee

Las Lajas Estate (Finca Las Lajas) is located in Costa Rica's renowned coffee region, Central Valley, part of the Poás volcanic mountain range. The local fertile soil rich in minerals creates excellent conditions for producing high-quality coffee. The estate's distinguished reputation comes not only from its exceptional coffee quality but also from its commitment to organic and ecological farming practices. Since introducing organic farming in 1990, it became Costa Rica's first coffee estate to achieve organic certification in 2000. Currently, it holds certifications from three international organic organizations: USDA, JAS, and NOP. Oscar Chacón, the third-generation operator of the estate, explained that pursuing organic certification presented significant agricultural challenges and even more severe economic pressure from reduced production. In the third year of transition, the estate's annual production dropped to just 20% of previous levels. Despite these challenges, their commitment to organic practices remained unwavering. Avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides not only protects the environment for sustainable development but also safeguards the health of coffee farmers.

Innovative Natural Processing: Alma Negra

Las Lajas Estate exclusively uses honey and natural processing methods for their green beans, developing distinctive characteristics that set them apart from other estates. Their honey processing is categorized into three types based on the amount of mucilage retained: yellow honey, red honey, and black honey. Their natural processing produces two distinct products based on fermentation levels: Pearl Negra and Alma Negra. Pearl Negra features intense fruity fermentation flavors, while Alma Negra leans toward dried fruit and molasses characteristics typical of natural processing. Both represent today's most fashionable natural processing methods yet offer two different styles!

FrontStreet Coffee Roasting

Roasting Machine: Yangjia 800N semi-direct flame (300g batch size)

Preheat the roaster to 170°C before loading the beans, with the damper set to 3. After 30 seconds, increase the heat to 140. The temperature return point occurs at 1'36" at 101.6°C. At 140°C, maintain the heat setting and open the damper to 4. At 5'15", the beans turn yellow as the grassy aroma disappears, entering the dehydration phase. Maintain the heat and keep the damper at 4.

At 8'07", dehydration completes as wrinkles and black markings appear on the bean surface. The toast-like aroma transforms into coffee fragrance, signaling the approach of first crack. Pay attention to the sound of first crack. At 8'50", first crack begins. Open the damper fully to 5 while maintaining the heat. The development time after first crack is 1'55", ending at 195°C when the beans are discharged.

The Agrton color value is 70 (upper image), the Agrton pink value is 81.5 (lower image), and the Roast Delta value is 11.5.

FrontStreet Coffee Cupping Notes:

Fermented fruit notes, floral, citrus, plum, fruit tea. Noticeable sweet and sour acidity, juicy texture, overall well-balanced.

Important Notice :

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