Piedra Blanca, Costa Rica

The history of the APROCETU association began with a group of small producers. Although today there are 36, there were initially 17 from the communities of San Rafael, El Pital, El Caite, and La Potenciana. At a time when many residents were abandoning the fields and coffee farming, thanks to the project and teamwork, families have been able to resume their harvests and strengthen their community.

Miguel, a Gesha producer, serves on the association's board of directors, while his wife handles the accounting. On their farm, they grow around 1600 Gesha plants. Juan, meanwhile, works with his brother, who is in charge of the processing, on a plot with 500 Parainema plants in production.

Miguel and Juan have known each other since school and have been growing coffee since 2000. This year, they decided to work together and blend their crops, giving rise to "Miguel y Juan al Natural," an experiment that sought to strengthen their collaboration, offer a new cup, and join forces, as combining their productions allowed them to present a larger and more competitive batch.

The SL28 variety is one of the most iconic and recognized varieties of Kenyan specialty coffee. It was developed in the 1930s by Scott Laboratories from Bourbon selections and Ethiopian landraces. Over time, it has established itself as one of the most prized varieties for its extraordinary cup quality.

Grown primarily at high altitudes between 1500-2200masl, the SL28 shows great potential in cool climates and volcanic soils. Although its resistance to diseases such as rust is considered moderate, its cup yield has made it one of the most sought-after varieties by producers and buyers.

In the cup, SL28 is celebrated for its bright, juicy, and complex acidity, often described as citrusy or berry-like. Its sensory profiles evoke notes of lemon, blood orange, blackcurrant, berries, and delicate floral notes, accompanied by a silky body and balanced sweetness. The elegance and definition of its flavors have made this variety a mainstay in the specialty coffee market, with lots frequently fetching very high prices at international auctions.

SL28 has spread to other coffee-producing countries in Africa and Latin America, where under the right conditions, it retains its distinctive character. Its reputation as one of the varieties with the greatest sensorial potential keeps it a favorite among baristas, cuppers, and discerning consumers.