Our latest Costa Rican beauty is from the Aquiares Estate on the slopes of the Turrialba volcano managed by Diego Robelo. We visited Aquiares back in 2024 as part of the World Coffee Research field trip excursion. At that moment we knew it was only a question of when rather than if we would have one of their delicious coffees on the Crankhouse list. The coffee we opted for was this naturally processed Centroamericano F1 hybrid. F1 hybrid varieties are created by crossing genetically distinct parents, in this case Ethiopian Rume Sudan and Sarchimor. The offspring of the cross are first-generation (F1) hybrids and they are notable because they tend to have significantly higher production than non-hybrids, while maintaining high cup quality and disease resistance. This F1 Centroamericano hybrid has well adapted its Ethiopian genes to the Aquiares volcanic soils. This lot was processed as a natural (dried in the skin); two days pre-drying on ceramic floor then an additional 10 days on african (raised) drying beds with a final phase in a mechanical guardiola. Aquiares is one of Costa Rica’s most historic coffee farms and sits high on the slopes of the Turrialba Volcano, nestled between the Aquiares and Turrialba Rivers. 'Aquiares' literally means 'land between rivers' in the indigenous Hueter language. In 1890, Aquiares was founded by farmers looking to take advantage of Costa Rica’s new railroad to the port of Limón. The farm built its own mill, focusing on the washed-coffee processes that are indicative of Costa Rican coffee. Soon, the quality of Aquiares' coffee won it loyal clients in Europe, the United States and Japan. The farm and the community are mutually connected. The farm provides services, land, security and honest jobs. In return, the coffee farm has benefited from a well-educated community and relies on highly skilled professionals from its community to continue functioning. During the tour a huge tree was pointed out to us that sat above the mill and dominated the skyline. An ancient (200 years old) and sacred Ceiba tree (also known as the Kapok tree), a giant that symbolises life, dominates the landscape, and holds deep significance for indigenous cultures. It was considered a sacred "tree of life" by indigenous people, connecting the underworld, earth, and heavens. <br /> <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d24299.20385607287!2d-83.7308775159069!3d9.939738189807844!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8fa0d1c16eb208fb%3A0xf734422abfe748c!2sAquiares%20Coffee%20%26%20Community%20Experience!5e0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1768635733590!5m2!1sen!2suk" width="600" height="450" style="border: 0;" loading="lazy"></iframe>