Green Beans - Costa Rica Azul SL28

Costa Rica Volcán Azul SL28 Natural

Origin: West Valley, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Producer: Alejo Kahle Castro
Farm: Volcán Azul Estate
Variety: SL28
Process: Natural
Altitude: 1,400–1,700 MASL

Flavour Profile: An exceptionally vibrant and complex coffee with layers of blackberry, cherry, ripe plum and brown sugar sweetness, balanced by bright citrus acidity and a silky, syrup-like body. The finish is remarkably clean for a natural process, with lingering notes of dark chocolate and sweet spice.

Volcán Azul is one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated coffee estates, with a history stretching back to the early days of coffee cultivation in Central America. Today, the farm is managed by Alejo Kahle Castro, whose relentless focus on quality and innovation has seen Volcán Azul achieve multiple top placements in the prestigious Cup of Excellence competition.

The estate sits on fertile volcanic soils in the mountains of Costa Rica’s renowned West Valley region. Coffee is grown at elevations between 1,400 and 1,700 metres, where cool temperatures slow cherry development and create greater sweetness, density and complexity in the cup. Alongside producing exceptional coffee, the family has invested heavily in rainforest conservation and sustainable farming practices, preserving large areas of native forest for future generations.

Only perfectly ripe cherries are selected for harvest, often measuring more than 22° Brix. After careful sorting and removal of defects, the coffee is dried as a natural process on patios and raised beds. The cherries are slowly dried over 12–16 days, with careful management of temperature, airflow and fermentation to maximise flavour development while maintaining clarity and cleanliness in the cup.

The SL28 variety is rarely seen outside East Africa and is best known for producing some of Kenya’s most sought-after coffees. Combined with the unique terroir and processing expertise of Volcán Azul, it creates a coffee that is both distinctive and unforgettable.

This is one of the most remarkable coffees we have ever roasted. Purchased through Condesa CoLab, it showcases everything we love about specialty coffee—complexity, sweetness, clarity and character. Equally stunning as filter or espresso, this is a rare coffee that rewards slow brewing and careful attention, revealing new layers with every cup.