Oscar and Francisica Chacon are third-generation coffee producers, but the coffee is more than just in their family heritage: It's in their hearts and souls as well. The couple is committed to quality and innovation, and are among the very first farmers in Costa Rica to produce Honey and Natural process specialty coffee.
In addition to being innovative on the processing level they are also leading the way in varietals grown on the farm. What makes this coffee especially unique is the varietal SL 28, which is native to Kenya, but has ended up here in Costa Rica. The SL-28 is famous around the world for representing quality. Up until very recently, SL-28 was exclusive to Africa.
As mentioned previously Oscar and Francisica are always looking to innovate and one way to stand out is to get your hands on this varietal. One of the qualities that has made SL-28 stand out is its Rusticity: meaning it can be left unattended for years and even decades at time and then return to a successful production. There are SL-28 trees in Kenya that are 60-80 years old and still productive. History comes alive! For comparison sake, most coffee trees have a life span of 10-12 years before the quality of the fruit they produce falls off dramatically. The notes accompanied with SL-28 are almost always sugary sweet with a winey acidity that is very distinct. When we combine this variety with the commitment to quality from the Chacons in Costa Rica we get a special cup of coffee. In short, to be drinking a SL-28 from Costa Rica is very special.
As we have touched on in the past. The importance of varieties in coffee has grown significantly in the last 10 years. Most people are familiar with the different types of wine varieties like, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot and on and on. This same trend has taken off in coffee, and while many of our single origin offerings are a mix of different varieties, some, like this are not. The most sought after coffees in the world tend to be single lot varieties. The most famous being Gesha, and now we can add SL-28 to the mix. Varieties like Gesha, SL-28, Popaya and Pink Bourbon have such unique profiles, they are best consumed as is, and not blended with other varieties. This is a wonderful example of a unique combination of varietal and origin coming together.
Tasting Notes: Sugary sweet and winey, dark chocolate, dried cranberry, and raisin flavors.
