Costa Rica Las Lajas SL-28 Natural

Las Lajas SL28 Natural coffee is an exceptional specialty coffee from Las Lajas farm in Costa Rica, known for its distinct natural processing technique and high-quality SL28 varietal. The SL28 varietal, originally bred in Kenya, is celebrated for its complex acidity, fruity character, and adaptability to different growing regions. When cultivated in Costa Rica’s high-altitude volcanic soils, this varietal develops a vibrant and nuanced flavor profile.

At Las Lajas, the Chacón family has mastered the natural processing method, which involves drying the whole coffee cherries under the sun without removing the fruit pulp. This method requires careful monitoring to ensure consistent drying and to prevent fermentation from overpowering the coffee’s natural flavors. Their meticulous approach to natural processing enhances the SL28 beans’ natural sweetness and accentuates their inherent fruitiness.

SL28. “SL” stands for Scott Laboratories. This was a British-backed research organization based in Kenya in the early/mid-1900s when Kenya was under colonial rule and did a tremendous amount of work selecting different breeds of arabica coffee. The goal was increased rust/disease resistance, tolerance to drought, high productivity, and high quality. SL28 and SL34 are the two most well-known varieties that came out of this program. SL28 is indeed tolerant to drought, has high productivity, and exceptionally high quality, but it is prone to disease. SL28 was really only found in any meaningful quantity in Kenya for many years, but farmers all over the world are beginning to experiment with small amounts of SL28 trees. This version of the Kenya varietal maintains it’s bright fruit forward character renown in Kenya.

The result is a distinctive cup profile with intense fruity notes, often including flavors of ripe berries, tropical fruits, and a wine-like acidity. Las Lajas SL28 Natural coffee also has a syrupy body, smooth texture, and lingering finish, making it a richly satisfying cup with a well-balanced sweetness and complexity. This coffee is ideal for those who enjoy a lively, fruit-forward flavor experience.