Aquiares Estate Esperanza Natural, Costa Rica | FILTER

Aquiares Estate is one of Costa Rica's oldest and largest coffee farms, producing coffee continuously since 1890 on the fertile slopes of the Turrialba Volcano. Covering 924 hectares, with around 80% planted under shade-grown Arabica, the estate combines more than a century of coffee-growing experience with a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability and community development.

This lot is grown at 1,200–1,400 metres above sea level and is produced exclusively from Esperanza, an F1 hybrid developed by CIRAD, PROMECAFE and CATIE from a cross between T5296 Sarchimor and the Ethiopian accession ET25. Bred for exceptional productivity, large bean size and high resistance to coffee leaf rust, Esperanza performs particularly well in humid, high-altitude environments while delivering excellent cup quality. Benefiting from fertile volcanic soils, abundant rainfall and diverse microclimates, Aquiares continues to invest in varietal research, careful plant-by-plant management and complete traceability from nursery to export.

Only carefully selected cherries, averaging 97% fully ripe at harvest, are used for this natural lot. After harvesting, all floaters are removed before the cherries are dried whole, allowing the fruit to remain intact around the seed and naturally enhance sweetness and complexity. The cherries are pre-dried on ceramic patios for two days before spending approximately ten days on raised African beds at temperatures between 28–45°C. A final day of gentle drying in a Guardiola dryer ensures stable moisture content while preserving clarity and balance in the cup. The natural process enhances the character of the Esperanza variety, producing a fruit-forward cup with layered sweetness, vibrant acidity and a rich, rounded body.