The majority of Costa Rican coffee comes from Tarrazu, near Volcan Poas, in the Southern Pacific region. Tarrazu is the most densely planted, high altitude region and is celebrated for its rich soil. The region is referred to as "Los Monjes de Tarrazu," by the indigenous group Huetar. The area is characterized by its humidity, mountainous paths and an extraordinarily green landscape, conditions which produce high quality coffee.

Altitude: 4200 feet
Variety: Caturra, Catuai
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: November-January

Cup Characteristics: sweet chocolaty aroma, soft berry notes, piquant acidity, smooth rich body, long pleasant aftertaste

The Asociacion de Mujeres Organizadas de Bioley (ASOMOBI), is a dedicated group of housewives, from the Coto Brus region, who created the Association to generate income for their families. They have developed a milling and roasting project which they currently export to Italy. Elan Organic Coffees had the opportunity to visit the Cooperative and bring this coffee into the North American market. Their product is extraordinary for its quality, hard work and dedication.

Altitude: 3150 feet
Variety: Catuai
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: November-January

Cup Characteristics: sweet aroma, chocolate notes throughout the cup, carmel, smooth body, piquant acidity, soft underlying berry notes, clean cup

Beneficio Cerro Alto is located in Concepcion de San Rafael de Heredia, in the highlands of the Central Valley. This mill was built in 2006 to process the coffees coming from family owned farms in the area. In hopes to secure the coffee producing legacy in the area, the mill provides benefits for future generations. The mill uses minimal water, protecting the environment while allowing an efficient processing method for only the ripest cherries. All risiduals from the mill are used as natural fertilizers for local cattle and dairy farms.

The mill engages in social projects by offering scholarships to local children.
As part of the Alianza de Mujeres en Cafe de Costa Rica (Women in Coffee Alliance of Costa Rica), this farm has the opportunity to provide women in the coffee sector with the necessary tools to enhance their participation on the national and international levels. WCACR wants to provide women win coffee a voice and vote in political decisions regarding the commodity. The group promotes sustainable development in each community through environmentally friendly means, economically viable methods and socially acceptable activities. The WCACR provides all members with opportunities to learn and to improve their knowledge of coffee production and the coffee market. In order to survive in this ever-changing market, the Alliance continuously operates under the ideals of renovation and innovation for its projects.

Altitude: 4500 feet
Variety: Caturra, catuai
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: January-March

Cup Characteristics: sweet, floral aroma, clean and chocolatey

Beneficio Miramontes-Helsar de Sarchi S.A. is located in the west valley region. Four families in the Naranjo and Zarcero areas joined together in 2004 to create this farm and mill dedicated to organic coffee production in harmony with nature. Helsar S.A. cares for the coffee from planting to picking, ensuring a high quality and flavorful end cup, while being mindful of sustainable processes to protect the environment. All of the coffee produced here is sundried. Helsar has won awards in the Cup of Excellence in 2007 and 2008.

As part of the Alianza de Mujeres en Cafe de Costa Rica (Women in Coffee Alliance of Costa Rica), this farm has the opportunity to provide women in the coffee sector with the necessary tools to enhance their participation on the national and international levels. WCACR wants to provide women win coffee a voice and vote in political decisions regarding the commodity. The group promotes sustainable development in each community through environmentally friendly means, economically viable methods and socially acceptable activities. The WCACR provides all members with opportunities to learn and to improve their knowledge of coffee production and the coffee market. In order to survive in this ever-changing market, the Alliance continuously operates under the ideals of renovation and innovation for its projects.

Altitude: 5100 feet
Variety: Caturra, Villalobos (tipica), catuai
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: January-March

Cup Characteristics:
sweet fruit notes in the aroma, rich body, fruit forward, dark chocolate, mouth watering, lingering aftertaste, very well balanced

Las Lajas is located in Sabanilla de Alajuela in the Central Valley, on the slopes of the astonishing Poas Volcano. The farm belongs to the Chacon Cubillo family who represent a third generation of coffee producers. In 1995 they switched from traditional farming practices to organic and in the year 2000 they received their organic certification. The name Las Lajas comes from the native word used for the precious stones sculpted by the natives.
The mill used for wet processing is a modern ecologically safe system that uses a mechanical demucilager that saves thousands of liters of water compared to the traditional washed method. All of the coffee is sundried on patios and African style trays which contribute to the rich body and underlying fruit notes in the cup. Las Lajas finished in the top 25 coffees in the 2008 Cup of Excellence, the only organic coffee awarded!

Altitude: 4300-4900feet
Variety: Caturra, catuai
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: December-February

Cup Characteristics: rich body, citrus & fruit notes, very sweet, with a crisp acidity, consistent

Cafetalera Lomas al Rio is located in the West Valley. This women's coffee is exceptional in flavor. The producers believe that "in the very best coffees, there is an expression of determination and good intention of all those who feed the process with their energies; when the people are happy the coffee tastes better."
As part of the Alianza de Mujeres en Cafe de Costa Rica (Women in Coffee Alliance of Costa Rica), this farm has the opportunity to provide women in the coffee sector with the necessary tools to enhance their participation on the national and international levels. WCACR wants to provide women win coffee a voice and vote in political decisions regarding the commodity. The group promotes sustainable development in each community through environmentally friendly means, economically viable methods and socially acceptable activities. The WCACR provides all members with opportunities to learn and to improve their knowledge of coffee production and the coffee market. In order to survive in this ever-changing market, the Alliance continuously operates under the ideals of renovation and innovation for its projects.

Altitude: 4500 feet
Variety: Caturra, catuai
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: January-March

Cup Characteristics: sweet, rich body, bold fruit tones with subtle chocolate, sweet all the way through, juicy citrus and chocolate aftertaste.