Competition Level Filter – Finca La Totoba, Natural SL28

Producer: Don Lica (Luis Carlos Forres)
Farm: Finca La Totoba
Region: Cerro Chirripó, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica
Altitude: 1,950+ MASL
Variety: SL28
Process: Natural
Harvest: 2025

TASTES LIKE

🍒 Cherry – ripe and sweet with jammy intensity.
🍑 Peach – round stone-fruit depth with soft acidity.
🍯 Honey – lingering sweetness and smooth finish.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Perched high on the misty slopes of Cerro Chirripó, Finca La Totoba is the life’s work of Luis Carlos “Don Lica” Forres, one of Costa Rica’s true pioneers in exotic varieties and controlled processing. Over the years, his dedication has turned the farm into a benchmark for micro-lot precision and excellence, with frequent recognition in the Cup of Excellence Costa Rica.

The Los Colibrís lot takes its name from the hummingbirds that flit through the coffee trees - a fitting tribute to the biodiversity and vibrancy of this high-altitude terroir. The combination of volcanic soil, cool mountain mists, and wide thermal variation produces coffees with remarkable sweetness, clarity, and structure.

THE PROCESS

This is a natural process lot, beginning with the manual selection of perfectly ripe cherries. After flotation to remove defects, the cherries are transferred to raised African beds for more than 20 days of slow drying. Throughout the drying period, temperature and humidity are closely monitored to preserve delicate fruit character and enhance terroir expression.

WHY WE LOVE IT

A stunning expression of Costa Rican craftsmanship—bright, juicy, and deeply sweet. The combination of Don Lica’s meticulous processing and the purity of Chirripó’s environment creates a cup that is both refined and exuberant, capturing the soul of Costa Rica’s southern highlands in every sip.

What is the roast recency?

We recommend brewing with beans that are at least two weeks off roast. All beans are roasted to peak flavour at around 6-10 weeks. We have the option to either purchase standard beans (at least 2 weeks but no longer than 6 weeks off roast), or rested beans (at least 7 weeks off roast, no longer than 10). For peak flavour, if you are looking to use immediately, we recommend purchasing the rested beans. If you are adding to your rotation of beans, we recommend purchasing the standard and allowing the beans to naturally rest and mature whilst you rotate through other beans.