SL28 - Anaerobic Natural - Volcan Azul

Tastes Like: Mulled Red Wine, Date, Floral Origin: Volcan Azul, West Valley, Costa Rica Variety: SL28 Producer: Alejo Castro Elevation: 1500 masl Process:  Anaerobic Natural Farm and Producer Alejo Castro is the fifth generation of a coffee-producing family at Volcán Azul in Costa Rica’s West Valley. The farm grows coffee in volcanic soil, with this selection listed at 1,500 meters. The family’s conservation work includes protecting rainforest in coffee-growing areas and on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Variety SL28 was selected in Kenya in the 1930s and has since spread to other coffee-growing countries. It combines drought tolerance with high cup-quality potential; growing conditions and post-harvest work shape the expression of each lot. Processing Anaerobic processing limits oxygen exposure during fermentation. This changes the conditions for microbial activity and can influence aroma, acidity, and texture. Natural processing dries the coffee with the cherry surrounding the seed. Contact with the fruit during fermentation and drying can contribute to fruit expression and body; careful moisture management remains important.