Costa Rica

Rita Herrera

Filter • Fruity & lively

Sweet and juicy tropical fruit notes with black currant like sweetness.

€24,00
€96,00/kg
Tax included.
Size

Farm: Dos Robles Specialty Coffee

Region: Los Robles, Valle Occidental

Altitude: 1500 MASL

Variety: SL28

Process: Natural

Natural process

After picking, these cherries are sun-dried on unique beds, allowing for slow and even drying that boosts their taste. Once dried, the beans rest for two months before being hulled at Cafetalera Herbazú, where they are stored until they are ready for export.

V60 Pour-Over

  • Dose: 16 g
  • Grind Size: 650 µm | Commandate ~22 Clix (44 Red Clix)
  • Water: 230 g at 94°C
  • Pouring Stages: 50 g (0:00) | 100 g (0:50) | 80 g (1:50)
  • Total Brew Time: 2:45
  • TDS: 1.5 %
  • Extraction Yield: 18.66 %

Pro Tips

  1. Grind Size: A finer grind increases extraction, intensifying flavour and strength. Too fine can lead to over-extraction and bitterness, while too coarse can result in under-extraction and sourness.
  2. Temperature: Higher temperatures enhance acidity, while lower temperatures reduce acidity, highlight sweetness, and minimize bitterness.
  3. Brew Ratio & Yield: To increase strength (viscosity), use a higher dose, a finer grind, or a shorter brew time. For clarity and brightness, adjust for a longer ratio or slightly coarser grind.
  4. Solubility: Light roasts require a finer grind and/or higher temperature to extract flavours fully. Medium-dark roasts extract more easily and may benefit from a slightly coarser grind and/or lower temperature.
Dos Robles Specialty Coffee

Rita Herrera

Rita Herrera is the leader of Dos Robles Specialty Coffee, a family-owned farm in Los Robles de Naranjo, Costa Rica, that has been growing coffee since the 1920s. In 2019, she started processing the coffee at the farm, which helped make the farm more sustainable and allowed for easier exports through partnerships like Bean Voyage. This important change helped Dos Robles control the quality of its coffee, ensuring every step of the production process met high standards. The farm grows the SL28 coffee variety at an altitude of 1,500 meters in rich volcanic soil, which benefits from the area's perfect climate and Andisol soil, enhancing the coffee's development.

Rita manages a 3.6-hectare renovation, bringing in modern farming practices while keeping the farm's traditions alive. Since 90% of the coffee plants are between three and four years old, she focuses on careful crop management, using shade control and a mix of natural and chemical farming methods. Harvesting at Dos Robles is done carefully, with only the ripest cherries picked by hand to ensure great flavor. After picking, these cherries are sun-dried on special beds, allowing for slow and even drying that boosts their taste. Once dried, the beans rest for two months before being hulled at Cafetalera Herbazú, where they are stored until they are ready for export.

Rita Herrera is a visionary leader transforming Dos Robles Specialty Coffee through sustainable farming, quality-focused processing, and a deep commitment to preserving her family's coffee-growing legacy.

Rita is dedicated to sustainability and has teamed up with Banco Ambiental to plant more trees on the farm, using agroforestry practices that support biodiversity and soil health. By bringing back native tree species and maintaining a healthy ecosystem, she ensures that the land stays fertile and productive for the future. Rita also believes in fair pricing and works directly with buyers to make sure farmers and workers are paid fairly. Cupping scores are important for determining prices, further showing the farm's commitment to high-quality coffee.

Despite her successes, Rita faces ongoing challenges, especially from climate change, such as the effects of El Niño and strong winds, which can affect the yield and quality of the SL28 variety. To tackle these issues, she constantly improves farming techniques, tries out different agricultural methods, and invests in strategies to help the farm adapt to changing climate conditions. Her thoughtful approach ensures that Dos Robles stays competitive in the growing specialty coffee market.

Through careful attention, innovation, and a strong commitment to quality, Rita Herrera is shaping the future of Dos Robles Specialty Coffee. She honors her family’s legacy while meeting the coffee industry’s modern needs, and her passion for quality and sustainability shines in everything she does.

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