Costa Rica Tarrazu

Roast: Light

Region: Tarrazu

Producer: Hacienda La Minita

Process: washed

Varietal: caturra, catuia

Altitude: 1200-2000 masl

Flavor Notes: cherry, milk chocolate, soft acidity, silky body

Frontside Coffee Roasters is proud to maintain a long-standing and ongoing friendship with La Minita, a renowned coffee estate located in Costa Rica's Tarrazu river valley. Spanning 1,200 acres, La Minita is recognized for its rich biodiversity and exceptional coffee production, making it one of the most esteemed farms in the region.

The estate dedicates 800 acres to coffee cultivation, where over a million trees grow under carefully managed shade, ensuring optimal conditions for producing high-quality beans. To maintain the health and productivity of the farm, 350,000 trees are pruned regularly, while 250 acres are preserved as untouched rainforest, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. The remaining land is used for roads and homes, supporting the vibrant community that lives on the estate.

La Minita's rigorous quality control process ensures that only about 20% of the harvested coffee earns the distinguished “La Minita” label. The farm’s ecological approach includes a diverse system of shade trees and the integration of citrus trees, which provide hydration for workers. Each year, the “Fiesta del Cafe” brings families from near and far to participate in the coffee harvest, drawn by La Minita's fair wages and the farm's welcoming environment. About 90 families live on the estate year-round, contributing to its legendary status in the region.

After daily harvesting, the coffee cherries are collected, and workers are paid for their labor. The cherries are then transported to processing mills that meet Costa Rica’s stringent environmental standards, ensuring that the water used is returned as clean as it was before processing. La Minita distinguishes itself by sun-drying its coffee, resulting in a softer, more mellow flavor. The coffee is also cured for sixty days—double the usual time—before final preparation for export. A meticulous hand-sorting process ensures that only the finest beans are selected to carry the La Minita name.

At Frontside Coffee Roasters, we are deeply proud of our enduring partnership with La Minita and the shared commitment to producing some of the world's finest coffee.