Bright fermented notes with candy-like sweetness and juicy ripe fruit cocktail by this year's Cup of Excellence Costa Rica triple-winning producers – Corazón de Jesús. This catuai variety has undergone their signature processing method, the natural reposado. A processing method utilising resting the cherries in sacks before and between the drying process, resulting in an exceptionally nuanced flavour profile.
 
Filter coffee:
Candylike sweetness, bright fermented notes, and ripe, juicy stone fruits.
 
Espresso:
Velvety, nuanced cup with notes of white rum, plums, bright acidity, and lingering sweet aftertaste.
 
Cappuccino/Flat white:
Rum-soaked cake with dates and mixed ripe fruits. 
 
The Producer:

Founded on November 26th, 2015, Corazón de Jesús has been a fully family-run project from the beginning. Parents Jhon and Kathia, along with their children Antonio, Marilyn, Eva, Abraham, and Jhoel, have worked tirelessly to make their dream of producing world-class coffee a reality. After placing fifth, third, and second in the most prestigious coffee competition in the world, Cup of Excellence, in the past years, they landed a jackpot this year with 1st place in both washed and honey/natural categories, as well as a third place in the washed category.
 
They started from scratch—building everything themselves, from African drying beds to fermentation tanks. Over time, their dedication began to bear fruit, allowing them to explore diverse varieties and experimental processing methods. Natural reposado has become something of a trademark of theirs over the years. Reposado, meaning "rested" in English, this method involves resting the cherries in sacks before the initial drying period and again between the initial and final drying to create layered, complex, and nuanced cup profiles. 

After enjoying their coffee over the past few years, in March, we finally had the chance to visit the farm personally. Coming from Santa María de Dota in the heart of Tarrazú, the drive takes you up the Cerro de la Muerte and across the high plateau before descending into the valley where the Alvarado Fonseca family runs their operation. 
 
The valley is lined with coffee trees on both sides, reaching elevations above 2,000 meters above sea level. Clear mountain streams weave through the landscape, and the surrounding forests are alive with waterfalls and biodiversity. It’s a tranquil, invigorating environment — perfectly suited to cultivating exceptional coffee. We got along so well that we ended up staying for an extra night, enjoying their hospitality, cupping through the lots, and visiting farms
together with Antonio.
 
Prior to this year's amazing achievement, the family has also received recognition in placing:
2nd place – Honeys and Naturals Category, Cup of Excellence 2024, Costa Rica
3rd and 17th place – Cup of Excellence 2022, Costa Rica
5th place – Cup of Excellence 2021, Costa Rica