Costa Rica Coope Atenas

Atenas, West Valley

Discover the vibrant terroir of Costa Rica’s West Valley with Costa Rica Coope Atenas, a crisp new light roast offering from Mr. Espresso.

Almost all of Costa Rican coffee is grown by smallholders on plots of less than 5 hectares. Across the country's eight distinct coffee regions, farmers cultivate a vast array of varieties, from Typica to Gesha. This specific lot shines a spotlight on a selected regional harvest, called "Volcanic Treasures," representing the collective dedication of roughly 1,300 smallholder farmers belonging to the historic Coope Atenas cooperative. For this particular lot, two traditional varieties were selected: Catuai and Caturra. Thriving at elevations between 1,100 and 1,400 meters above sea level in nutrient-rich volcanic soils, these trees yield an elegant cup defined by complex, bright notes of white grape, navel orange, and sweet honeysuckle.

What truly sets this coffee apart is its meticulous honey processing. Though nearly all Costa Rican coffee is wet-milled, the country is uniquely experienced in honey techniques, where coffee is depulped but dried with sweet fruit mucilage left on the seed. While regional variations range from heavy black to light yellow honey, this specific lot utilizes a minimalist white honey process. By leaving only a trace of fruit on the parchment, the mill captures the deep natural sweetness of a honey process while retaining a beautifully crisp, pristine, and clean cup. This vibrant profile shines when prepared as a drip brew.