Costa Rica Sonora Honey

In Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Hacienda Sonora sits at the foot of the active Poás Volcano. On this 100-hectare farm, 65 hectares are dedicated to shade coffee, 10 hectares to sugarcane and 25 hectares are wild forest reserve.

Alberto Guardia began growing coffee at Hacienda Sonora 45 years ago. His son Diego was born and raised on Sonora and then left to earn a Mechanical Engineering degree at San Diego State University. After graduating, he worked for two years as a construction engineer in California, before deciding to return home to work with his father and improve and maintain the farm’s operation. Diego and his father have transformed what was historically a sugar cane farm, then an ornamental plant farm, to now producing some of the consistently best and sweetest “honeyed” Costa Rica coffees we have had.

Sonora’s coffees grow amongst indigenous trees and other diverse vegetation that provide a great environment for quality and improve the chemistry of soil that’s already naturally rich from volcanic ash. Thanks to the farm’s diverse ecosystem, many different species of birds and animals make their homes on the land.

Sonora has a well-earned reputation for producing quality micro-lots featuring specific varietal and processing separation. It also strives to have a positive impact on the environment and people that surround its business. All the energy consumed by the farm is 100 percent renewable that’s harvested on the farm and powers the mill and provides electricity for workers.

This Honey Natural is a dry-mill blend of all of Sonora’s varietals and process styles. The coffees that go into this blend are processed more efficiently than others and create a very special cup. Red grape and chocolate dominate the flavor profile.