New arrival from Costa Rica's southernmost growing region – Antonio Alvarado & Corazón de Jesús

A few months ago, we returned to Costa Rica – without knowing exactly what to expect. But we knew the reason for our trip: A few weeks prior, we had received a sample of unroasted coffee – with the promising label "Corazón de Jesús". Everyone on the team who got a taste of this coffee was immediately enthusiastic.

Fast forward to October 2024. We are in Brunca, Costa Rica – the southernmost and youngest growing region of a country with a long coffee tradition.

As is often the case in Costa Rica, this coffee largely revolves around the so-called micromills. In the early 2000s, the country's coffee production revolutionized itself, and numerous newly built micromills across the country made Costa Rica a leading producer of exciting micro-lots.

The Alvarado family's micromill is named Corazón de Jesús – the Heart of Jesus.

Here, the family processes coffees from various farms into spectacular lots that have repeatedly caused a stir in Costa Rica's Cup of Excellence in recent years. Most recently, a Gesha coffee processed there even achieved second place in the national coffee producers' competition.

Our first arrival from this fresh collaboration comes from Los Toños – the Alvarado family farm, where various varieties are grown. Probably the most interesting of them is Antonio's pride and joy: an F1 hybrid named "Milenio."

As expected, the coffee tastes as outstanding as the conditions suggest. It's hard not to be captivated by Antonio's enthusiasm. Even more impressive is that he is only in his early twenties – which makes this collaboration even more exciting. After all, coffee production worldwide has a real problem with new talent.

This coffee is light roasted and has a zesty acidity as a pure espresso. However, this harmonizes perfectly with the overall fruity taste experience. With milk (especially as a Flat White), it is reminiscent of blueberry banana bread.

With filter coffee, the focus is on the concentrated taste of ripe fruits. The dense consistency gives it an almost liqueur-like quality. The high intensity lingers on the tongue, leaving a sweet and spicy note that reminds us of Cherry Coke.