Costa Rica – Don Alexis Esperanza

We picked this lot from the Ramirez-Navarro family, led by lifelong farmer Mr. Alexis Ramirez. They built their own micro-mill, Los Campos, in 2015 to gain control over coffee quality and traceability. By processing their own micro-lots, they shifted away from the cooperative system, focusing instead on producing unique, high-quality coffee. Achieving direct trade was a long-held dream for the family, and partnering with Grounds marked a significant milestone, allowing them to establish closer connections with buyers and gain fairer compensation for their work.

Esperanza is a hybrid of Sarchimor T-5296 and wild Ethiopian ET-25, developed through Central American breeding programs in collaboration with World Coffee Research. Named “hope,” Esperanza represents a new generation of climate-resilient coffee varieties, bringing together agronomic strength and high cup quality. In the cup, expect a complex, silky body with syrupy sweetness, subtle creaminess, and bright, clean citrus notes.

Whole cherries are fermented in black plastic at 40–45°C, where heat and microbial activity enhance sugar development and fruit character. The coffee is then sun-dried for around 30 days and stored in parchment, resulting in a funky, sweet, fruity cup with a round, balanced body.

Terroir: Tablon del Guarco, Los Santos
Process: Natural Thermic
Cultivar: Esperanza
Altitude: 1750 m.a.s.l.
Cup profile: Pineapple, mango, vanilla, citrus peel, tamarind, white wine, hazelnut cream.