How one microlot shines in a year when Costa Rican coffee producers faced a 10% national decline
2025 has not been an easy harvest year in Costa Rica. Nationwide, production has dropped an estimated 10% compared to last season — the result of coffee’s natural biennial cycle, labor shortages, economic pressures, and untimely rainfall. For small producers like Luis and Oscar Monge of Finca La Lia, this made every decision at the farm level matter more than ever.
Yet out of these challenges comes one of our most elegant lots of the year: La Lia – Santa Rosa 1800.
Microlot Magic at 1800 Meters
Nestled high in San Lorenzo de Tarrazú, the Santa Rosa 1800 plot is a special place — not just for its altitude, but for the clarity and structure it brings to the Catuai variety. Farmed with surgical attention and processed using the white honey method, this lot brings precision and elegance to the forefront.
While the rest of the country contends with lower yields and export pressures (due in part to a stronger colón), this microlot is a reminder that small, well-executed lots can still carry big impact.
White Honey: Not Too Wet, Not Too Dry
The Monge brothers opted for a white honey process, where mucilage is partially left on the parchment during drying. This approach hits a sweet spot — retaining delicate fruit and tea-like structure while keeping fermentation clean and consistent in a variable climate.
This year’s harvest demanded flexibility: unpredictable rain made patio space precious, and drying needed constant monitoring. Their attention paid off.
A Standout in a Down Year
In a year where Costa Rica will produce only ~1.17 million 60-kg bags — one of its smallest crops in years — this lot stands as a quiet triumph. It’s not just about great flavor. It’s about showing what’s possible when skill, science, and resilience align on the farm.
We’re proud to continue our direct relationship with La Lia and to share the results of that work with you.
Ready to taste the 2025 harvest for yourself?