Roberto Mata - Costa Rica

Region: Tarrazú

Altitude: 1550 masl

Process: Red Honey

Varietal: Caturra, Catuai

We taste: Cacao Nibs, Caramel, Mandarin

The M&M Micromill

M&M Micromill is a family-owned operation overseen by Roberto Mata Naranjo and his family in the renowned Tarrazú region of Costa Rica. The mill derives its name from the amalgamation of the family’s children's surnames, Mata and Montero, signifying the latest generation joining the enduring legacy. Delving into coffee farming in the late 1950s, Roberto’s family embarked on their own milling venture in 2017, driven by a fervent desire to enhance their craft and incorporate innovative practices. Recognizing that making this dream a reality means maintaining exceptional standards for their harvest, they meticulously process all their cultivated coffee, employing an array of methods such as Washed, Honey, Natural, and controlled fermentation to maintain lot separation and uphold superior quality standards.

The Red Honey Process

The red honey process is a unique method that involves drying the coffee with half of the cherry still intact, allowing the beans to absorb the fruit's natural sweetness. To achieve this, the cherries are carefully pulped and then meticulously dried for two days on raised beds without any disturbance. Subsequently, the coffee undergoes a delicate process of being moved four times daily for two additional days to ensure the pre-drying phase is completed impeccably. Finally, the coffee is dried in a rotary dryer at a precise temperature of 50°C with controlled air flow, resulting in a fuller bodied and more fruit forward cup.

In the Cup

This coffee is such a stunner in the cup. Its bright acidity is obvious in the aromatics, and the first sip is filled with citrus heaven. When it’s hot, the sweet orange-like qualities contribute to its juicy mouthfeel. As it cools, that hyper-sweet flavor becomes more pronounced and takes on a caramelly quality. The finish leaves us with a dark chocolate aftertaste that is like a memento of each delicious sip. Overall, this coffee is a crowd pleaser, no matter what kind of coffee you drink.