Costa Rica Duran Family – White Star Coffee

White Star Coffee Roasters is based in the heart of Belfast, Ireland. This Costa Rican coffee is grown on the Duran Family farm, Santa Teresa. This lot was processed using the black honey method and dried on raised beds for 21 days. Because of the climate in Costa Rica, it is much harder for them to have naturally processed coffees, so as a result they have become masters of the honey process. This coffee is a perfect example of that and is likely one of the best coffees I have tried all year.

When I first opened the bag, I was amazed by the strength of the fragrance and the beautiful sweet notes I smelled including notes of tropical fruit and blackberry. The flavor was a knockout and I tasted a wide variety of notes including tropical fruit (pineapple, mango and even banana), blackberry, lemon drops and an undertow of apricot. The acidity was strong and sharp from start to finish and the body was light, but juicy. The sweetness was another incredibly special attribute of the coffee and was incredibly fruity and juicy. The bravado of the experience carried through to the finish, which lingered with floral citrus notes. 

The Bottom Line

Overall the depth & complexity of the flavor, the intensity of the sweetness and the strength of every other attribute I look at made this coffee one of my favorites in 2020. If you enjoy sweet, high acidic, flavor-packed coffees, this is absolutely one you have to try.