Sumava De Lourdes

Region: West Valley, Naranjo
Producer: Francisco Mena
Farm: Monte Llano Bonito
Cultivar: Milenio
Process: Black Honey
Elevation: 1670-1750 masl

Roast level: Extremely light
Roasted for: Mod Spro + Filter
Net weight: 150g

Tasting Notes: Guava, blueberries, apricot, hazelnut chocolate

Fragrance/Aroma: Fruity, slightly floral
Acidity: Rounded, malic
Body: Juicy, textured
Aftertaste: Honeyed, slight bitterness

The cup opens with the clear, refreshing note of guava: bright, juicy, and subtly tropical. As the acidity settles into its rounded, malic structure, the mid-palate reveals a layered interplay of blueberries and apricot, offering both juiciness and gentle texture. The black honey process adds depth here, enhancing the fruit tones while contributing a subtle viscosity that carries the flavors forward.

Toward the finish, the sweetness begins to concentrate, developing into a comforting hazelnut-chocolate character. This merges seamlessly with the process-driven honeyed aftertaste, leaving a long, warm, and slightly bittersweet impression that lingers with composure. The overall profile is nuanced yet generous – fruit-forward, texturally engaging, and shaped by the complexity that black honey lots are known for.

Sumava de Lourdes, owned and operated by third-generation producer Francisco Mena, is one of the most respected and forward-thinking farms in Costa Rica’s West Valley. Spanning roughly 68 hectares, it is divided into two primary properties: Monte Llano Bonito (where this lot is from) and Finca Monte Lourdes. Monte Llano Bonito alone comprises nine individually managed plots, while Monte Lourdes contains six, allowing Francisco to tailor agronomic practices with remarkable precision according to each plot's microclimate, soil composition, and topographical nuance. Sitting at 1650–1700 meters above sea level, the farm benefits from cool temperatures, steady winds, and consistent humidity – conditions that promote slow cherry maturation, plant resilience, and the development of vibrant, complex cup profiles.

Beyond meticulous plot management, Sumava de Lourdes is celebrated for its progressive approach to cultivation. Mena cultivates varieties such as SL28, Geisha, Villa Sarchi, and was among the earliest adopters of Milenio – a hybrid developed as part of Central America’s ongoing effort to balance cup quality with resilience. Combining the disease resistance and productivity of Sarchimor T-5296 with the exceptional cup quality potential of Sudan Rume (one of the most genetically distinct and prized Ethiopian landraces), Milenio performs exceptionally well at Sumava due to Francisco’s rigorous agronomy: careful shade management, soil regeneration programs, selective harvesting protocols, and controlled fertilization strategies all contribute to its success.

Milenio’s genetic lineage gives it both robustness and the capacity for elevated cup quality, often revealing florals, tropical fruit, and refined sweetness. In this lot from Monte Llano Bonito, those traits are fully realized, expressing the layered complexity that has made Sumava de Lourdes a benchmark for innovation, sustainability, and the future of high-quality hybrid coffee cultivation.

Moisture Content: 10.6%
Weight Loss: 11.5%
Agtron: 82.0 (W) / 127.3 (G) / △45.3