Costa Rica

About the Coffee

Finca Monte Alto is one of two farms managed by the family-owned business Café Directo,

founded in 2013 by father and daughter, Gerardo and Jennifer Arias.

The farm specializes in cultivating, processing, and selling specialty coffee from the Tarrazú region of Costa Rica,

with a strong commitment to environmental conservation.

The company’s vision is to contribute to the development of local communities through fair and ethical trade.

The founders have over 30 years of experience in coffee production and processing.

Their expertise includes naturally processed microlots, various honey processing methods

(yellow, red, black), anaerobic fermentations, and traditional washed techniques.

The farm’s unique conditions—its microclimate, volcanic soil, and high altitude of up to 1,800 meters

—create an ideal environment for growing exceptional coffee varieties such as Catuai, Pacamara, and Gesha.

Processing Method

This coffee was processed using the natural method, dried both on patios (special concrete drying surfaces)

and raised drying beds. The process begins with handpicking only the ripest cherries,

which are then sorted through flotation—a simple technique that separates high-quality,

dense cherries from lower-quality ones that float.

The selected cherries are slowly dried on raised beds for approximately 30 days,

with regular turning to ensure even drying. Once dried, the coffee is stored in a cool,

dry environment before undergoing secondary processing, including hulling, sorting,

cleaning, and packaging for export.