Costa Rica Volcan Azul Villa Sarchi Warm Anaerobic

Maple Syrup, Maraschino Cherry, Milky Body, Citric Acid

The words warm anaerobic may immediately make you think of funky, boozy tones, but this is not a George Clinton cup. It’s refined and restrained, with just enough quirk to undercut the elegance—kind of like Jeff Bridges in a tuxedo. It comes from Volcan Azul, a Central Valley farm on the slopes of the Poás Volcano that has placed in the Cup of Excellence multiple times. Volcan Azulspecializes in high-end microlots, and this one lands squarely in that category.

Villa Sarchi is the variety here—an indigenous cultivar that, in a stunning name-based coincidence, was discovered in the town of Sarchi. It produces cups with deep sweetness and sparkling acidity. The Volcan Azul crew did a bang-up job putting this lot through oxygen-deprived fermentation at an elevated ambient temperature. Hence, warm anaerobic.

There’s a lot of sweetness happening in this guy. The aroma packs punches of maple syrup and cherry, and both tones translate seamlessly to the cup. The maple note mingles with a hint of vanilla, deepening the sweetness, while the cherry couples with citrusy brightness. The cup remains sweet throughout, with a milky medium body, but cooling really causes its brighter tones to open up. The experience ends up being exactly what you want from a Villa Sarchi: a vibrant, sugary, complex brew that stays effortlessly drinkable from sip one to the final drop.

• Farm - Volcan Azul
• Region - Alajuela Province
• Variety - Villa Sarchi
• Process - Warm Anaerobic
• Elevation - 1,500 - 1,700 MASL

Best for:

• Pour Over
• Aeropress
• French Press
• Drip Machine
• Single Origin Espresso