We’re excited to welcome back a long-time favourite from Costa Rica – Las Lajas Alma Negra. This naturally processed lot from producers Oscar and Francisca Chacón is packed with deep sweetness and ripe fruit intensity. With tasting notes of strawberry, pomegranate, coconut and pecan praline, it’s a stunning coffee that pairs beautifully with our Day Dripper and shines as a filter brew. Creamy, vibrant, and complex – this is Las Lajas at its best.
SUITABLE FOR:
Filter
Aeropress
Plunger
Cold Brew
The Chacóns are third-generation coffee producers who’ve redefined Costa Rican specialty coffee. Based in Sabanilla de Alajuela, Oscar and Francisca were trailblazers of the country’s “micromill revolution” – a movement that empowered producers to take control of quality and identity by processing their own coffees.
In 2005, they established the Las Lajas micromill, leaving behind the traditional cooperative model. Since then, they’ve led the charge in post-harvest experimentation, becoming pioneers of both Honey and Natural processing in Costa Rica. Their work has earned global recognition for its innovation and flavour-forward results.
The Alma Negra process, in particular, is one of their signature styles. Ripe, high-sugar cherries are dried in a greenhouse for the first few days before being moved to raised beds by day and returned to the greenhouse at night. This slow, carefully managed drying – up to 30 days – deepens sweetness and enhances complexity, resulting in a cup that’s expressive, layered and intensely delicious.
The Chacóns’ commitment to sustainability, traceability and sensory exploration continues to inspire, and this release is no exception. It’s a beautiful representation of terroir, producer skill, and thoughtful processing — perfect for those who love vibrant filter brews with character.
COSTA RICA LAS LAJAS ALMA NEGRA
Natural process – Catuai & Caturra varietals grown in Central Valley at 1,600 MASL.
STRAWBERRY, POMEGRANATE, COCONUT, PECAN PRALINE
We’ve created our filter recipes as a guide to help you achieve the same great flavours we experience in our coffees. If you are unable to reproduce the exact result on your gear, don’t panic — use the ratio as a starting point and adjust to your setup.
Filter
1–2 cups daily
250g per fortnight
2–4 cups daily
500g per fortnight
6–8 cups daily
1kg per fortnight
Note: These guidelines use an estimate of 12–24 grams of coffee to allow for differences in dose size.
If you need help with any of our coffees, please email hello@padrecoffee.com.au, and we’ll guide you through the coffee journey.
Padre Coffee acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continued connections to land, sea and community.
We pay our respect to Elders past, present and future, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
