The Enthusiast

– COSTA RICA – TARRAZU –

ABOUT THIS COFFEE
Aromas del Valle, or Scents of the Valley, refers to the Dota Valley, in the heart of Tarrazú —the fifth canton in the province of Jan José.

Farmers in Santa Maria de Dota enjoy the most abundant harvests in the country, averaging 3,800 pounds per hectare. Farms are prolific but small, with average farm sizes around 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres).

During the harvest season, from November through March, the regions’ small farms bustle with activity as over 780,000 bushels of rich, ripe berries are hand harvested and brought to local receiving stations.

Beneficio San Diego is the most modern and one of the largest mills in Costa Rica. It was established in 1888 and now specializes in the Tarrazú and Tres Ríos areas. It takes pride in striving for everincreasing efficiency and quality standards, while working closely with producers to ensure good community relations and sustainable production for years to come.

ABOUT THE REGION
Costa Rica has Nicaragua to its north and Panama to the south. The San Jose Province is close to the Pacific side of the country and is home to the 12,000-acre Quetzales National Park, which is known for its “cloud forests.”

Santa Maria de Dota is a typical Costa Rican town, spread around a church, a plaza and a school. The majority of the community is involved coffee production, and it’s well known for its great quality of life and the harmonious relationship between the community and nature. Dota has beautiful flora and fauna and the best water springs in the country.

Most of the region’s farms are shaded by native trees including Poro and Guava, which also provide shelter to the incredible birds and wildlife that thrive in the area.

SPECS:

GEOGRAPHY
Region: Santa Maria de Dota
Altitude: 1,500–1,900 MASL

PRODUCER
12 producers from the community of Santa Maria de Dota

VARIETY
Red and yellow Catuai and Caturra

PROCESSING
Washed

HARVEST TIME
November 2016–March 2017

NOTES:
FLAVOR Red apple, dark chocolate, nougat
BODY Creamy, sweet
AROMA Red fruit, brown sugar
ACIDITY Mild

ROAST LEVEL
Light/Medium – City +