Introduction to Costa Rican La Santa Rosa Processing Plant: What is Hummingbird Coffee | Royal Coffee?

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Royal Coffee

The best coffees from Costa Rica tend to come from small micro-mills scattered across the main growing regions, including Tarrazú and the Western Valley. This so-called coffee revolution began some 15 years ago and dramatically changed how roasters and importers view Costa Rican coffee. It centers on micro-mills that collect cherries from surrounding small farms for processing; the farms themselves are mostly small community or family operations, and all of their coffee is processed and dried by a single micro-mill. The quality and flavor of Royal Coffee are quite distinctive, thanks in large part to this close cooperation between producers and buyers. The San Román mill primarily uses washed processing and is known for coffees with intense, rich flavors and solid body. Cherries are hand-sorted, with farmers removing overripe or unripe fruit before processing. A 3-disc Aagaarde depulper removes skin and pulp, then machines sort the beans into three grades by density. Grade 1 and 2 beans are fermented separately, while Grade 3 consists of lower-quality beans. The beans ferment in the shade for about 24-36 hours, are washed after fermentation, sorted again by density in the washing channels, and finally soaked overnight in clean water.

Hummingbird Coffee

The Tarrazú region lies in southwestern Costa Rica near Poás Volcano, facing the Pacific Ocean, with unique microclimate conditions - fertile volcanic soil and ideal climate, sunlight, and humidity - all conducive to producing perfect red cherries. Farming here is entirely manual and nature-friendly, with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Coffee grown this way shows the region's full character: sweet wet aroma, full body, medium acidity, and a delicate, clean aftertaste of stone fruit, spice, and sweetness. All cherries are hand-picked at full ripeness, and every step of processing is strictly controlled. At the mill, the beans are washed, fermented, and dried; the parchment coffee then goes to drying racks for sun-drying until the moisture content of the whole batch is uniform, before hulling for export. This is the newest dry-washed (honey-adjacent) processing method, which retains roughly 0-10% of the pulp and mucilage, permits a slight fermentation, and is followed by up to 25 days of natural drying - a showcase of the craftsmanship and terroir of Costa Rica's micro-mills. The perfectly calibrated fermentation achieves an excellent balance between clarity and complexity in the cup.

Costa Rica San Román Processing Mill Hummingbird Coffee

Country: Costa Rica

Region: Tarrazú

Altitude: 1,700m

Processing Method: Washed

Grade: SHB

Varieties: Caturra, Catuai

Flavor Description: Delicate and clean, bright berry acidity with sweetness, caramel chocolate, floral notes, and excellent oiliness.

Costa Rica San Román Processing Mill Royal Coffee

Country: Costa Rica

Region: Tarrazú

Altitude: 1,700m

Processing Method: Washed

Grade: SHB

Varieties: Caturra, Catuai

Flavor Description: Bittersweet chocolate with the rich sweetness of cream candy, layered over subtle winey acidity - silky smooth as satin, deeply aromatic. The fruity sweetness of this cocoa-toned cup is unforgettable!

FrontStreet Coffee Brewing Recommendations:

89-90°C water / 1:15 ratio / 2 minutes total time / Fuji grinder setting 3.5

About FrontStreet Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee is a roastery with a small shop and a remarkably diverse bean selection, where you can find both famous and lesser-known origins, alongside online ordering services.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Washed processing preserves the bean's own character while adding bright, clean fruit acidity - a tradition Costa Rica's San Román mill executes beautifully. If this style speaks to you, FrontStreet Coffee's Kenya Cherry Tomato is one of the finest washed examples we carry: Kenya is famous for its double washed fermentation, and the repeated rinsing and soaking renders the fruitiness in its most extreme form - cherry tomato, dried plum, snow pear, black plum, and golden sugar aromas, with a sweet-tart, juicy mouthfeel that makes it a favorite among serious coffee players.

For a gentler washed cup, FrontStreet Coffee's Washed Guodingding Cooperative from Yirgacheffe offers jasmine fragrance and bright citrus acidity over green tea and honey tones - lovely as a pour-over, cold brew, or even an espresso base.