Costa Rica: ARBAR, Kenya, Honey [125g]

*Please note this coffee is part of our Special Reserve range and sold in 125g bags, not 220g*

The Kenya varietal might be familiar to you from the ARBAR micromill and several other farms we source from in Costa Rica. These plants are believed to be descendants of SL28 plants brought from Kenya, though the history is somewhat unclear – it's a bit of an educated guess!

What we do know is that SL28 likely contributes to the uniquely bright, sweet, and complex flavor of exceptional Kenyan coffees. Similarly, the Costa Rican 'Kenya' varietal seems to deliver the same profile. It's like a flavor fusion of classic Kenyan and Costa Rican characteristics, with more intense acidity than the Villa Sarchi from the farm, while maintaining that intense sweetness and silky body.

Exploring the variety further, the name 'San Roque Kenya' applies to all Kenya coffee in Costa Rica – they're often referred to as SR Kenya, San Roque Kenia, or variations thereof. We've attempted to trace the history of this varietal, but it's been challenging. The name San Roque is quite common, but we believe it originates from the source of the seedlings.

As previously mentioned, San Roque Kenya is cultivated at several Costa Rican farms we source from and have sampled in the Western Valley. A distinctive flavour we consistently find in nearly all of them is a crisp lime zing, which is definitely present in this coffee as well.

When it's hot, this is full of lime leaf, with a subtle floral edge to it. As it cools, dark brown sugar comes through along with fresh peach which keeps going into a long aftertaste.

• Country: Costa Rica
• Region: Western Valley
• Area: Lourdes de Naranjo
  
• Producer: Carlos Arrieta and Family
  
• Micromill: ARBAR
  
• Elevation: 1,600 m.a.s.l.
• Variety: Kenya (SL-28)
• Process: Honey

Cupping Notes: Lime leaf, peach, brown sugar.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean cup: (1-8): 6.5
• Sweetness: (1-8): 6.5
  
• Acidity: (1-8): 7
• Mouthfeel: (1-8): 6.5
• Flavour: (1-8): 7
• Aftertaste: (1-8): 6
• Balance: (1-8): 6
• Overall: (1-8): 7
• Correction: (+36): +36
• Total: (max. 100): 88.5

Roasting Information
Medium: between middle of the gap and end of the gap works best here, highlighting the juicy fruitiness.