COSTA RICA - DOTA TARRAZU - HERMOSA - WASHED

The Story

In Costa Rica, coffee isn't just a crop—it's part of the national identity. Grown in high-altitude valleys flanked by cloud forest and volcanic peaks, Costa Rican coffee has long held a reputation for exceptional clarity and balance. Few regions represent this better than Dota Tarrazú, the spiritual heartland of Costa Rican coffee.

Coffee has shaped Costa Rica’s economy and landscape since independence from Spain in 1821, when the government distributed free seeds to encourage cultivation. By the mid-1800s, Costa Rica was shipping coffee across the Atlantic and into North America, launching the country into the global market.

Despite its success, Costa Rican farmers face real challenges: rising labor and land costs, encroaching real estate development, and unpredictable weather patterns. But these pressures have also driven innovation. With limited room for expansion, Costa Rican producers have leaned into quality, processing creativity, and sustainability as their greatest competitive tools.

Dota: The Peak of Precision

The Tarrazú region, and in particular Santa Marta de Dota, is known for its near-perfect conditions: high altitudes, cool nights, volcanic soil, and ideal seasonal rainfall. Here, the Dota Co-operative unites smallholder farmers committed to sustainable farming, traceable lots, and exceptional coffee.

This specific lot—“Hermosa”—was processed at one of Dota’s central micro-mills using a Fully Washed method that reflects both Costa Rica’s traditional processing roots and its forward-thinking water conservation ethos. Rather than relying on fermentation tanks and large volumes of water, many Costa Rican mills—like this one—use centrifugal demucilagers to gently remove mucilage without polluting waterways, in line with the country’s strict environmental regulations.

Why It Matters

Costa Rica’s high cost of production means it can’t compete on volume—but that’s not the point. Instead, coffees like this one tell a deeper story: of a country that has chosen to invest in quality, innovation, and environmental care. Through the rise of micro-mills, experimental processing, and sustainable practices, Costa Rican farmers continue to redefine what’s possible from a small, mountainous country with a big coffee legacy.

This Dota Tarrazú Hermosa is a shining example: a classic Washed Costa Rican, redefined for the modern specialty market—clean, juicy, traceable, and full of life.