Costa Rica - Aquiares Estate

 From the lush landscapes of Costa Rica’s Turrialba region, this unique coffee comes from the renowned Aquiares Estate, Costa Rica’s largest and oldest coffee farm. Under the stewardship of Diego Robelo, Aquiares has become a model of sustainable and innovative coffee farming, embracing environmental stewardship, carbon neutrality, and community support. Grown at 1,200 meters and crafted with a red honey process, this Esperanza F1 hybrid variety has a distinctive flavour profile with notes of brown sugar, caramel, blackberry, and citrus. Expect a balanced, vibrant cup that reflects both the heritage and forward-thinking vision of Costa Rican coffee.

The Cup: brown sugar, caramel, blackberry, and citrus

Farm Aquiares Estate, ran by Diego Robelo

Process Red Honey

Variety Esperanza F1 Hybrid

Elevation 1200 MASL

Region Turrialba

Country Costa Rica

Harvest November–January

Aquiares Estate
Nestled in the picturesque Turrialba region of Costa Rica, Aquiares Estate is much more than a coffee farm—it’s a thriving community and a model for sustainable agriculture. Established in 1890, Aquiares is Costa Rica’s largest farm, home to 1,800 people, and a living testament to the power of community-driven change. In the 1980s, Alfonso Robelo transformed Aquiares by fostering home ownership for farm workers, turning the farm into a true community where people take pride in their work and live with security and purpose. Today, his son, Diego Robelo, continues this legacy, championing specialty coffee, environmental conservation, and carbon-neutral farming practices.

Aquiares is committed to sustainable practices that protect biodiversity and enrich soil health, supporting research and agroforestry projects. Its dedication to environmental stewardship has made it an innovator in reducing carbon emissions, contributing to Costa Rica’s national climate action plans. The estate’s protected biological corridors allow local wildlife to thrive, creating an ecosystem where coffee cultivation and conservation go hand in hand.

The Esperanza F1 Hybrid
The Esperanza F1 Hybrid is a rare variety exclusive to Aquiares, specially adapted to the farm’s unique terroir. Created by crossing Sarchimor T-5296 with wild Ethiopian genetics (ET-25), this hybrid variety is resilient to the challenges of climate change, a priority for Aquiares as it looks to future-proof its coffee crops. Named "Esperanza," or "Hope" in English, this variety signifies Aquiares’ commitment to sustainable coffee production and innovation.

Esperanza is honey-processed, which highlights the coffee’s sweetness and vibrancy. Dried on raised beds in solar dryers for 18–24 days, this method brings forward rich flavours of brown sugar, caramel, blackberry, and citrus.