Raspberry, toffee, brown sugar.
About This Coffee
Costa Rica Tarrazú Jaguar Red Honey is produced from cherries grown by smallholder farmers across the highlands of Tarrazú (in the Los Santos valley south of San José) and carefully processed at Beneficio San Diego, one of Costa Rica’s most historic and progressive mills.
Founded in 1888, Beneficio San Diego has long specialized in coffees from the Tarrazú and Tres Ríos regions. It is widely regarded as one of the country’s most modern and innovative private mills, continually refining quality standards, efficiency, and sustainable practices while working closely with local producers. Most contributing farms are modest in size—typically around three hectares—and are managed by families who have cultivated coffee for generations. Cherries are selectively delivered and sorted at the mill according to farm condition and peak ripeness, ensuring only the best fruit enters the lot.
This coffee is prepared as a red honey process: the outer skin of the ripe cherries is removed, while a significant portion of the sticky mucilage remains on the parchment during drying on raised beds or patios. The “Jaguar” designation also reflects a broader commitment to conservation—sales of these lots support efforts to protect Costa Rica’s endangered jaguar population through partnerships with organizations such as Fundación Pro Zoológicos.
Taste notes
Sweetness: Honey, caramel, brown sugar, cane sugar, or toffee
Fruit: Soft red fruit or berry (raspberry, berry, red apple), stone fruit (nectarine, plum), sometimes tropical hints (guava) or citrus/orange brightness
Chocolate & nutty undertones: Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, roasted almond, or graham cracker
Body & acidity: Medium to medium-full body with a smooth or velvety mouthfeel; mild-to-bright, well-balanced acidity (not sharp)
Technical Information
- Origin: Costa Rica
- Region: Tarrazu, Tres Ríos
- Altitude: 1200-1900m
- Cultivar: Caturra, Catuai
- Process: Red Honey
- Producer: San Jose and Beneficio San Diego