Finca Alto Encino has been in the Jimenez family for over 30 years and is named to showcase the large quantity of oak trees that are present on the farm. Herman Vega, father of the current owner Maureen Vega, had a passion for agronomy and a love for coffee.
About 25 years ago, Herman unexpectedly passed away and his land was handed down to Maureen.
Welcome to my Table, here in the corner of this cafe. Today we’re sipping the Costa Rica Alto Encino, from Bold Bean Coffee Roasters in Jacksonville, Florida. Feel free to pull up a chair.
THEDETAILS:
region: Tarrazú, San Jose, Costa Rica
farm: Finca Alto Encino
producer: Maureen Vega
association: N/A
elevation: 1500 – 1600 meters above sea level
cultivars: Catuai, Caturra
process: fully washed, patio dried
certifications: standard
BREWINGSPECS:
method: Hario V60
grind: 17, Preciso
coffee: 28 g
water: 450 mL
bloom: 1:00
pour: 2:00 concentric pulse pour, 1:00 drop
CUPPINGNOTES:
This cup of Costa Rica Alto Encino has a fine, delicate, and elegant aroma that is characterized by perfumed scents of rose hips and citrus blossom, honey, apple, and white grape. It’s actually a little similar to a Riesling—sweet and fragrant, but not overwhelming.
The first few sips of the coffee immediately post-brew match the overall profile of its aroma—sweet, sugary, floral, fruity, but also delicate, genteel, and intricately layered. A bed of creamy caramel and vanilla flows over the tongue and opens to a finish of honey blossom and brown sugar.
As the cup cools off, really beautiful and effervescent fruits come dancing in; bright, but not necessarily lively, sparkling on the palate with fine flavors of white grape (especially), Bartlett pear, maraschino cherry, lime, and clementine.
Light body; effervescent mouthfeel; citrus acidity; clean finish.
FINALTHOUGHTS:
Nothing against the company, but I have to admit that I was a little trepidatious about trying coffee from Bold Bean Coffee Roasters; with that name, with that huge exclamation point in the logo, I assumed that the coffee was going to be overroasted—the beans are “bold” after all, right?
I am very relieved and very happy to report that this was not the case at all. Bold Bean Coffee Roasters sent me two coffees this week and each of them were so light, delicate, complex, and, most importantly, so flavorful. Their Costa Rica Alto Encino was a beautiful coffee.
Did you like this? Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome here at the Table! Pull up a chair and speak your mind by entering a comment below. Also remember to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!
Andrew is a husband, father, dog lover, craft beverage enthusiast, content creator, and niche market Internet celebrity. Formerly of A Table in the Corner of the Cafe and The Pulitzer Project and contributor to Barista Magazine and Mental Floss, he’s been writing on the Internet for years.