Costa Rica: Granitos de Altura del Ortiz

When hot, this is all lime Fruit Pastille - a super sweet citrus treat. As it cools, the sweetness becomes more complex, with honeycomb coming through and pomegranate on the finish - all wrapped up in a silky-smooth body.

Granitos de Altura del Ortiz is a family-run micromill in the heart of Santa María de Dota, Costa Rica - part of the celebrated Tarrazú region. Managed by sisters Johana and Joyce Calderón, the mill is known for producing elegant, expressive coffees that reflect both the terroir and the care behind them. Sitting at 1,800–2,000 metres above sea level, the farm benefits from cool mountain air and rich volcanic soils - ideal conditions for slow cherry maturation and more complex cup profiles.

Among the varieties grown here is Catuai, a hybrid developed in Brazil in the 1940s by crossing Mundo Novo and Caturra. It’s compact and resilient, making it well-suited to the steep slopes of Tarrazú. In Costa Rica, Catuai has become one of the most widely cultivated varieties, prized for its balance, clean acidity, and ability to express terroir when carefully processed - especially in micromill settings like Granitos de Altura. The Calderón family’s approach brings out the best in Catuai, highlighting its potential for clarity and nuance in the cup.

The mill was originally run by their father, Omar Calderón, until Johana and Joyce asked if they could take the reins - and he said yes, of course. Johana led the project for nearly a decade before stepping back to welcome a new baby, and Joyce now leads with the same dedication and precision. Omar still plays a vital role, managing the farms where the coffee is grown. Rather than expanding production, Joyce focuses on refining every step she can at the mill to ensure each lot meets their exacting standards.

Granitos de Altura is also part of a wider movement in Costa Rica: one that champions traceability, sustainability, and women-led coffee businesses. While we source this coffee through our long-standing export partner, Exclusive Coffees, the Calderón family’s commitment to quality and transparency is clear in every lot. Their work reflects a new generation of producers who are elevating Costa Rican coffee through innovation, care, and connection - and we’re proud to share their story and their coffee with you.

• Country: Costa Rica
• Region: Tarrazú
• Province: San Jose
• Mill: Micro-Beneficio Granitos de Altura del Ortiz
• Producers: Joyce and Johana Calderón
• Elevation: 1,700-2,000 m.a.s.l.
• Varietal: Catuai
• Processing system: Honey

Cupping Notes: Lime fruit pastilles, pomegranate, honeycomb.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean cup: (1–8): 6.5
• Sweetness: (1–8): 7
• Acidity: (1–8): 6.5
• Mouthfeel:(1–8): 6
• Flavour: (1–8): 6.5
• Aftertaste: (1–8): 6
• Balance: (1–8): 6.5
• Overall: (1–8): 6.5
• Correction: (+36): +36
• Total (max. 100): 87

Medium: take this coffee nice and steadily through the gap and let it develop a little in the gap, finishing before you get to second.