Costa Rica: Sumava de Lourdes - Los Pinos

Sweet but crisp and clean, this cup starts with a soft orange cordial sweetness that's balanced by a hit of crisp white grape. A delicate dried fruit aftertaste of currants finishes this well balanced coffee.

This honey-processed Villa Sarchí comes from the Los Pinos plot at Sumava de Lourdes - a farm that’s become a benchmark for quality and innovation in Costa Rica’s West Valley. Owned and managed by Francisco Mena, Sumava is a model of traceability, sustainability, and precision. Los Pinos sits at high elevation, where cooler temperatures and volcanic soils help develop the coffee’s crisp acidity and layered sweetness.

Francisco Mena is one of Costa Rica’s most respected producers and a long-standing partner of ours. Through his work with Exclusive Coffees, he’s helped shape the country’s specialty coffee landscape - championing micro-lots, supporting small producers, and pushing for greater transparency. At Sumava de Lourdes, he applies that same ethos: investing in skilled teams, careful picking, and meticulous processing to bring out the best in each varietal and plot.

Villa Sarchí, the varietal planted at Los Pinos, is a natural mutation of Bourbon first discovered in Costa Rica. It’s compact in stature, making it well-suited to the steep, mountainous terrain of the country’s highlands. Known for its resilience and ability to thrive at altitude, Villa Sarchí has become a staple among Costa Rican producers aiming for quality and cup clarity. When grown in ideal conditions (like those at Sumava!) it expresses vibrant acidity, floral aromatics, and a refined sweetness that makes it a favorite for both washed and honey processing.

Los Pinos is a standout example of that approach. The plot is named for the pine trees that line its borders, offering natural shade and biodiversity. It’s planted exclusively with Villa Sarchí and processed using the honey method, where some fruit mucilage is left on the bean during drying. This technique enhances body and sweetness while preserving the varietal’s bright, elegant character - a true reflection of Costa Rica’s terroir and innovation.

• Country: Costa Rica
• Region: Llano Bonito de Naranjo
  
• Farm: Sumava de Lourdes
• Plot: Los Pinos
• Micro Mill: Sumava de Lourdes
• Producer: Francisco Mena
• Variety: Villa Sarchi
• Process: Honey
• Elevation: 1,700 m.a.s.l.
• Farm size: 3 hectares

Tasting notes: Orange cordial, white grape, currants.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean Cup: (1-8): 6.5
• Sweetness: (1-8): 6.5
• 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: through the gap and let this develop a little in the gap before finishing before you get to second.