Sumo - Aquiares, Costa Rica 250g

 Aquiares Estate sits on the slopes of the Turrialba volcano in Costa Rica, surrounded by forests, rivers and natural springs. Founded in 1890, the estate is closely connected to the town that grew around it, which is why Aquiares is often described as “Coffee and Community”.

Much of that connection was shaped by Alfonso Robelo, who arrived in Costa Rica in the 1980s after leaving Nicaragua during the civil war. At the time, workers lived in houses owned by the estate, leaving their housing tied to their employment. Alfonso helped change this by enabling families to purchase their homes, giving them greater security and a lasting stake in the community.

His son, Diego, now manages the estate, building on that work while developing its approach to specialty coffee. This includes introducing varieties, experimenting with processing and exploring what the farm’s different growing areas can produce.

Conservation is also an important part of Aquiares. Around 20% of its land is set aside for conservation, with protected areas around its springs and streams. Trees and forest corridors form part of the landscape alongside the coffee, and the estate regularly welcomes researchers studying agriculture and the environment.

This release is a Catuaí processed as a natural anaerobic. Originally developed in Brazil by crossing Mundo Novo with Caturra, Catuaí has become an important variety in Costa Rica. Its compact size makes it easier to manage and harvest, and it remains widely grown across the country.