Cupping Notes: lime leaf, strawberry candy, juicy

Country: Costa Rica

Producer: Diego Robelo

Farm: Aquiares Estate

Cupping Score: 87

Altitude: 1700 MASL

Process: Natural

Varietal: Centroamericano

Drying: African Raised Beds

About this Coffee: 

Aquiares has identified the need to diversify its production to rely less on solely coffee. One very exciting new project is that of producing medicinal herbs that contain essential oils that have health, beauty and wellness applications. We started this project in 2021 with the commitment of it being the first all-women led project within our organization. We have now planted 2 hectares of herbs like Oregano, Eucalyptus and Juanilama. This last one, also known as Lippia Alba, has a fascinating lemon & mint aroma and medicinal antispasmodic properties. Our main clients buy essential oils for the natural pharmaceutical industry; but as we extract the oils, there is a residual liquid which is water-based, called Hydrosol. Hydrosol maintains the organoleptic properties of the plant, and having this amazing resource, we decided to experiment and try to translate these flavour attributes to coffee. So, we turn hydrosol into a coffee-fermentation inoculate.

Fully ripe cherries are brought to the mill, where floaters are separated. The heavy fruit is depulped and placed within fermentation tanks, where hydrolate from our essential oils extraction plant is incorporated and then the tank is sealed. We check temperature and pH twice a day, and once it reaches pH of 4.0 (after 1-2 days), the coffee is removed from the tanks, drained, washed, and sent to our solar dryers for a slow, 16-day drying process. All lots are then stored in GrainPro for three months for aromas to consolidate.

Canada Post Strike

CUPW has issued a strike notification to Canada Post.  They have yet to say whether this will be a rotating strike or whether it will be a nationwide shut down.  During this time we are going to continue to try and offer free shipping using wither Purolator or UPS so that our customers can continue to ensure that they get there parcels in a timely manner.  Although we would like to say that we will be able to offer this service to all of our customers for some orders this is simply not feasible.

We hope that this strike will not last for long and hope that you will continue to support our business during these difficult days.  We appreciate your patience and understanding in these matters.

Canadian Customers

Pre-Umber is happy to offer our Canadian customers free shipping on all orders over $100.00 (Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon there is a flat rate fee)  Orders qualifying for free shipping will be sent via Canada Post Expedited Parcel service, UPS or Purolator depending on your address.  If you do not want to use the free shipping option you will have the option to choose which method you would like us to ship and you simply pay what we have to pay for shipping.

If your cart just doesn't seem to total up to $100.00, don't worry.  Pre-Umber offers real-time carrier shipping through Canada Post as well as other courier services.  To access these other couriers you can not use a PO Box but must use a physical address.  You will see the real-tie pricing and can choose the method of shipping that you would like. 

Pre-Umber wants you to enjoy your coffee or merchandise as soon as we can get it to you, so we always strive to send your order out within 24 hours of having received it.

To see the Canada Post delivery standards please follow this link and use our Postal code T4J 1R1. Delivery Standards

United States of America Customers

Pre-Umber is now shipping to customers in the continental United States of America.  We are using Canada Post/USPS for shipping so as to include the greatest number of customers. 

We are offering a flat rate shipping fee:

0 - 12 Pounds a flat rate of $20 CND (way cheaper in USD)

12 -20 Pounds a flat rate of $35 CND (still way cheaper in USD)

31-55 Pounds a flat rate of $60 CND (still very cheap in USD)

If you would rather not use the flat rate option you can choose to use Expedited Parcel USA or Xpresspost USA at your own expense.

We do our best to ship all orders within 24 hours of receiving the order and many are shipping within a matter of hours.

We look forward to serving all your home coffee roasting needs.