GARDEN OF IMPURITY, Costa Rica

White Nectarine, Butterscotch, Apricot Jam

The 'Black Diamond' is a special, extended drying process from Beneficio Las Lajas. The cherry or parchment is transferred directly to raised beds with 100% of the mucilage attached to be bean. It will remain there for up to 6 hours to begin the drying process under full sun, and then be transferred to covered patios. The coffee is heaped in mountains or collected in sacks to extend the drying process, while keeping the internal temperature low. The objective being to impart an intense, bright cup profile. It is a longer and more labor-intense drying process.

Oscar and Francisca are the owner-operators of the Beneficio Las Lajas; third generation coffee producers, however prior to 2006 were only involved in growing coffee, not processing. Their passion for the coffee industry is evident in the care and expertise they impart in every lot of coffee they process. In 2006, Oscar and Francisca decided to start processing their own coffee and experiment with micro lots in order to be able to spend more time at home and leave something to their children. Since establishing the Las Lajas micro mill, they have grown from an initial annual production of 25 bags, to an ever-expanding football field sized drying area and an exportable volume of around 2000 bags! Their family of four children, all of whom are well-versed in the specialty coffee world, like to help during the season and with visits.

The Las Lajas mill is well known for their unique and exotic honey and natural process coffees. In 2008 an earthquake hit during harvest; left without electricity or water for a week whilst pickers were delivering coffee, they took the risk to process the coffee in the natural style. The first reaction from local cuppers was negative, however the international coffee community loved the profile and so it was decided to continue processing naturals. Their process has changed and adapted over the years, and also prompted a trend in natural process micro lots in Costa Rica.