Finca La Salaca, owned by Doña María Elena and her son, Luis Salazar, has earned a strong reputation for producing consistently high-quality coffees. The farm sits between 1,500 and 1,750 meters above sea level on the lush, mountainous slopes of Zarcero, in Costa Rica’s famed West Valley growing region. The family operates its own micromill, Beneficio Monte Brisas, where Doña María oversees processing with meticulous attention to detail. Their commitment to precision at every stage, from selective harvesting to careful drying, shows clearly in the cup.
This lot is composed entirely of Villa Sarchi, a coffee variety we had never roasted before at Hammerhand. As we always do when working with an unfamiliar variety, we approached it with a little caution. Unusual varieties can sometimes be a nightmare to roast, so we were hesitant to select this one as our autumn seasonal. But its flavor profile fit the season so perfectly that it was hard to pass up.
Fortunately, we were able to dial in a consistent roast profile quickly and the result is a rich, balanced cup with notes of dark chocolate, red apple, and almond. Perfect for fall mornings.
Farm: Finca La Salaca
Region: Zarcero, Costa Rica
Altitude: 5,600 ft
Varietals: Villa Sarchi
Process: Washed
Tasting Notes: Dark Chocolate, Apple, Nutty
Finca La Salaca, owned by Doña María Elena and her son, Luis Salazar, has earned a strong reputation for producing consistently high-quality coffees. The farm sits between 1,500 and 1,750 meters above sea level on the lush, mountainous slopes of Zarcero, in Costa Rica’s famed West Valley growing region. The family operates its own micromill, Beneficio Monte Brisas, where Doña María oversees processing with meticulous attention to detail. Their commitment to precision at every stage, from selective harvesting to careful drying, shows clearly in the cup.
This lot is composed entirely of Villa Sarchi, a coffee variety we had never roasted before at Hammerhand. As we always do when working with an unfamiliar variety, we approached it with a little caution. Unusual varieties can sometimes be a nightmare to roast, so we were hesitant to select this one as our autumn seasonal. But its flavor profile fit the season so perfectly that it was hard to pass up.
Fortunately, we were able to dial in a consistent roast profile quickly and the result is a rich, balanced cup with notes of dark chocolate, red apple, and almond. Perfect for fall mornings.
Farm: Finca La Salaca
Region: Zarcero, Costa Rica
Altitude: 5,600 ft
Varietals: Villa Sarchi
Process: Washed
Tasting Notes: Dark Chocolate, Apple, Nutty
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