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Costa Rica: Aquiares Estate Centroamericano Red Honey
Orange, cherry, violet and dark chocolate
$23.20 - $50.60
Roast Level
What makes this Costa Rican red honey coffee special?
The Centroamericano H1 brings Ethiopian floral complexity into a stable, reliable plant - you'll taste this as distinct violet and cherry aromatics that are consistent from crop to crop. Red honey processing amplifies these aromatics: the mucilage layer stays intact during 18-24 day shade-drying, creating enzymatic activity (essentially, controlled fruit fermentation) that develops the cherry and violet notes you'll taste.
We developed this as a light-medium roast (end temp 402°F, 11:30 roast duration) to preserve delicate floral notes while bringing out the chocolate and caramel sweetness that supports the red honey's syrupy body. Drop it earlier and the body isn't there; push it darker and you lose delicate florals. This is the roast profile where we found balance on the cupping table.
Worker ownership drives coffee innovation at Aquiares.
We've brought Aquiares Centroamericano back for five consecutive years because when you find a farm that's committed to coffee excellence, quality tends to improve year after year. That constant improvement comes from Aquiares' 1,800-person community where 96% of workers own their homes - multi-generational experience means cherries are picked at peak ripeness and the delicate 18-24 day drying period gets executed without cutting corners.
When our co-founder Christopher Pierce visited Aquiares Estate in 2022, he documented the homeownership programs and carbon-negative agroforestry systems that make this year-over-year reliability possible. This stability means the coffee performs consistently - whether you're still dialing in your technique or brewing with confidence, you're starting with reliably excellent beans.
Competition coffee that doesn't require competition skills.
The Centroamericano's red honey processing imparts enough body and inherent sweetness that you'll taste the cherry and chocolate notes even if you're just learning to brew. And if you want to explore the subtle shifts - like how your brew temperature modulates the violet florals and orange citrus notes - this coffee rewards that attention without punishing small mistakes.
Aquiares Estate defines ethically-sourced, competition-quality coffee that's earned its place on our menu year after year - you'll taste what makes it special whether you're a seasoned brewer or just beginning your coffee journey.
Brewing Guides
Here’s how to brew Costa Rica: Aquiares Estate Centroamericano Red Honey like a pro.
Highlights clarity and acidity; best with precise grind, flow control, and flat or conical brewers.
| Brew Ratio | 1:16 (e.g., 20g coffee to 320g water) |
| Grind | Medium-fine (like table salt) |
| Water Temp | 94°C / 201°F |
| Total Brew Time | 2:45 – 3:15 min |
| Yield | 300–320g |
Use a flat-bottom or conical dripper. Pre-wet the filter. Keep total brew time under 4:00 to preserve clarity.
Full immersion with coarse grind; great for body, sweetness, and lower-acidity profiles.
| Brew Ratio | 1:15 (e.g., 30g coffee to 450g water) |
| Grind | Coarse (like sea salt) |
| Water Temp | 93°C / 199°F |
| Total Brew Time | 4:00 – 5:00 min |
| Yield | 400–450g |
French Press is especially forgiving with this coffee. Use a timer and decant into a carafe toi prevent overextraction.
Pressure extraction with fine grind; isolates intensity, structure, and balance.
| Brew Ratio | 1:2.25 (e.g., 18g coffee to 40g espresso) |
| Grind | Fine (like powdered sugar) |
| Water Temp | 93°C / 199°F |
| Total Brew Time | 25 – 30 sec |
| Yield | 36–40g |
Aim for 25-30 second extraction time. Stop the shot when blonding starts for a smooth, balanced flavor profile.
Costa Rica: Aquiares Estate Centroamericano Red Honey
Orange, cherry, violet and dark chocolate
$23.20 - $50.60
Roast Level