Costa Rica — Efraín & Herberth Naranjo Santa Rosa 1900 SL28 (Washed)

Tastes Like — 🫐 Red Berries • 🌸 Floral • 🌿 Eucalyptus

DETAILS
Producer: Efraín "Macho" and Herberth Naranjo
Farm: Finca Macho — Santa Rosa 1900
Region: Santa Rosa de Leon Cortez, Tarrazú, Costa Rica
Varietal: SL28
Process: Double Fully Washed
Altitude: 1,900–2,000 MASL
Size: 250g

INTRO

Santa Rosa 1900 is one of the most elevated micro mills in Costa Rica, and this SL28 lot demonstrates why altitude matters. Grown on steep, shade-covered slopes where cherries ripen extremely slowly, SL28 produces a brilliantly clean and complex cup — crisp red berry acidity, delicate florals, and a characteristic eucalyptus note that sets it apart from any other Costa Rican lot.

This washed SL28 from Macho and Herberth Naranjo showcases how Kenyan genetics can express themselves with startling clarity when cultivated at extreme altitude in Tarrazú.

THE PRODUCER

In 2007, Efraín "Macho" Naranjo bought his first piece of land on the mountain slopes of Santa Rosa de Leon Cortez. He worked 18–20 hours per day in those early years, and that conviction proved correct: Santa Rosa 1900 now spans 28 hectares planted with a remarkable range of varietals. Macho runs the farm alongside his sons Herberth and Kevin. The micro mill sits at 1,900 metres, with land stretching to 2,000 metres — making it one of the most elevated operations in Costa Rica.

The coffee trees grow on steep slopes amongst natural shade vegetation, avocado, citrus, and banana trees. Cherries are carefully hand picked and sorted at the washing station before processing, separated into day lots traceable by picking date. Koppi has worked with Herberth and his family since 2011, and every visit feels like returning home.

THE PROCESS

The Double Fully Washed process at Santa Rosa 1900 involves:

• 🍒 Hand-Picking & Sorting — Cherries selected at peak ripeness and sorted at the washing station
• 🔧 Day Lot Separation — Each lot traceable by picking date for full quality control
• 💧 Double Washing — Full removal of mucilage through two washing stages for exceptional cup clarity
• ✅ Density Sorting — The "Oliver" machine separates beans by weight, ensuring uniformity
• ☀️ Raised Bed Drying — Dried slowly over 16–18 days in Tarrazú's cool mountain climate

Macho keeps his micro mill immaculately clean at all times, and his meticulous attention to detail at every stage is what consistently produces coffee of the highest quality.

THE CUP

Santa Rosa 1900 SL28 is crisp and complex — juicy berry notes lead into delicate florals, with a distinctive eucalyptus finish that confirms the extraordinary altitude at which this coffee was grown. One of the finest examples of SL28 produced outside Kenya.

Flavour Notes

• 🫐 Red Berries
• 🌸 Floral
• 🌿 Eucalyptus