FINCA BRUMAS DEL ZURQUÍ – COSTA RICA GEISHA (OBSCURA 8oz)
Juan Ramon Alvarado is a fourth generation farmer working land his family has farmed for 125 years in the Heredia canton of Costa Rica, just outside San José. Producing coffee for over a century requires a special kind of continuity and longevity, and it certainly shapes how a farm operates. The decisions made are long term ones, and the commitment to ecological, regenerative farming at Finca Brumas del Zurqui reflects that. This is a limited release of his Geisha, a variety that is naturally scarce and not one roasters hold onto for long.

PRODUCER
Juan Ramon manages Finca Brumas del Zurquí according to strict ecological standards, using exclusively eco-friendly, "green line" agricultural inputs across the farm's regenerative operation. The farm sits in the San Isidro area of Heredia at 1,650 meters above sea level, where warm temperatures averaging 60–70°F year-round and a distinct rainy season from May to October give the coffee the slow, even development that high elevation growing is known for. He has also built a cupping laboratory and roastery on the property, which speaks to how closely he follows the coffee from cherry to export.

VARIETY: GEISHA
The Geisha variety originated in the Gesha region of Ethiopia and was introduced to Central America in 1953 under the designation T2722. It gained wider recognition through Panama's Best of Panama competition, where lots from Hacienda La Esmeralda began drawing significant attention at auction and established Geisha as a benchmark variety in the specialty world. Producers across Latin America have since worked to establish it in their own growing conditions, with results that vary considerably depending on terroir and farming approach.
 
The trees are naturally low-yielding and sensitive to environmental stress, which is part of what makes this variety relatively uncommon even within specialty coffee. When the farming is attentive and the processing is clean, the cup it produces is distinct — floral, tea-like, and bright, with a delicacy that is not typical of Arabica. The altitude, climate stability, and volcanic soils of the Heredia region suit it well.

PROCESS
This coffee is fully washed and carries a Strictly Hard Bean designation, meaning it was grown above the elevation threshold associated with denser bean structure and more concentrated development. Cherries are hand-harvested at peak ripeness, depulped, fermented, and washed clean before drying. The washed process keeps the cup transparent to the character of the variety and the land. For Geisha in particular, that transparency is an advantage. The florals come through without competition from residual fruit sugars.

COFFEE PROFILE
Aromas of bright raspberry are immediately noticeable. Upon initial taste, ripe pineapple is is present followed by sweet persimmon. The acidity is bright and fruit forward offering a clean acidity without being too sharp. As it cools, the notes settle into a long, black tea like quality that finishes with a rich date note. The body of this coffee is light and silky, and the washed process and high elevation cultivation reenforce the how well defined this coffee is.

BREWING THIS COFFEE
Geisha is best experienced through filter methods where its structure can develop without interference. Brew a touch cooler than you might default to, and give this coffee five to ten days of rest after roasting before the florals fully settle.
 
Pour Over (V60 Style)
Coffee: 21g
Water: 320g
Ratio: ~1:16
Bloom with 40g of water for 35 seconds. Continue with two slow, even pours. Water temperature around 198°F will preserve the brightness without pushing the delicate structure into bitterness.
 
AeroPress
Coffee: 15g
Water: 225g
Ratio: ~1:15
Add water just under boil, stir gently to saturate, and steep for 1:30. Press slowly over 25 seconds. The shorter steep keeps the florals from turning astringent and lets the tea-like finish come through cleanly.

COFFEE DETAILS
Origin: Costa Rica
Region: San Isidro, Heredia
Elevation: 1,650 masl
Producer: Juan Ramon Alvarado, Finca Brumas del Zurquí
Variety: Geisha
Process: Fully Washed
Grade: SHB (Strictly Hard Bean)