Blaq Soul - Costa Rica

SPECIALTY COFFEE from COSTA RICA Blaq Soul

Pioneers in coffee cultivation in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, the Chacón family has been planting coffee since 1936 in the foothills of the imposing Poás volcano. The combination of altitude, soil fertility and climate is ideal for producing high-quality, concentrated and aromatic coffee beans.

After the death of their father, the Chacón brothers decided to change the coffee production system, focusing their efforts on environmental conservation and thus providing a stable source of employment for their workers and preserving the coffee culture within their family and community.

Oscar Chacón and Francisca Cubillo, who represent the third generation of coffee producers, decided to process the coffee from their own farms, giving rise to the Las Lajas micro-mill.

During these early years of the 2000s, seeking excellence and aiming to offer a unique product in the coffee market led them to the creation of the natural process in 2006, which arose out of necessity after an earthquake that left the Sabanilla area without electricity or water for a long period, making it impossible to carry out the traditional washed processing method.

Alma Negra Natural demonstrates an unwavering commitment to excellence through a meticulous natural process, giving a juicy and complex character to the cup, a celebration of the craftsmanship and flavors of the Costa Rican coffee legacy.

Aquiares, on the slopes of the Turrialba Volcano, is the largest coffee farm and one of the most historic coffee farms in Costa Rica founded in 1890. 80% of its land is planted with coffee, while the other 20% is designated for forest protection. The coffee plantations are constantly interrupted by dozens of channels, springs and streams, thus providing a healthy environment for native species of animals, plants and birds.

These sustainable practices have helped protect a privileged natural environment and have supported a beautiful community of almost 2,000 people that settles in the middle of the farm. The town has a primary school, a youth sports program, a recycling committee, a nutrition center for preschoolers and a church that was built in 1925 and is a National Historic Architectural Monument.

The Aquiareños are proud of their community and their coffee because the farm and the community are mutually connected. The farm provides services, land, security and honest jobs and in return, the farm has benefited from a community with a good level of education, having highly qualified professionals to perform important administrative functions of the company.