Brumas del Zurqui SL-28 Natural
Costa Rica | Central Valley
A rare Costa Rican expression of the legendary SL-28 variety.
Produced by the Alvarado family at Brumas del Zurqui Micromill, this lot combines the vibrant fruit character of SL-28 with the sweetness and elegance that Costa Rica is known for. Slow cherry maturation, careful natural processing, and generations of coffee-growing experience create a cup that is both expressive and approachable.
 
Flavour Profile
Red Grape, Rasin, Panela
Rich stone fruit sweetness layered with caramelised sugar, ripe grape character, and a silky finish supported by gentle juicy acidity.
Coffee Details
Origin: Costa Rica
Region: Central Valley, Heredia
Farm: Finca El Centro
Micromill: Brumas del Zurqui
Producer: Juan Ramón Alvarado Rodriguez & Family
Variety: SL-28
Process: Natural
Elevation: 1,400–1,800 MASL
Harvest: December – April
Roast: Filter Roast
Origin Story
Brumas del Zurqui is a fourth-generation family-operated coffee producer located in Costa Rica's Central Valley.
Managed by Juan Ramón Alvarado Rodriguez and his family, the mill has spent decades refining quality through investment in processing infrastructure, quality control, and innovative drying techniques. The family operates its own cupping laboratory and processing facilities, allowing complete control from harvest to export.
Beyond producing exceptional coffee, Brumas del Zurqui plays an important role in supporting local employment and sustaining coffee production within the surrounding community.
 
Coffee Lineage
SL-28 is one of the most celebrated coffee varieties in the world.
Originally selected by Scott Laboratories in Kenya during the 1930s, SL-28 became famous for its vibrant acidity, juicy fruit character, and exceptional sweetness. The variety is believed to have ancestry linked to Ethiopian and Yemeni coffee populations.
While most commonly associated with Kenya, only a small number of Costa Rican producers cultivate SL-28. At high elevations, Costa Rica's volcanic soils and cooler climate allow the variety to express remarkable sweetness while maintaining the lively fruit character that made SL-28 famous.
Process Story
Only fully ripe cherries are selected before being carefully dried using the Natural Process.
The coffee cherries remain intact throughout drying, allowing sugars and fruit compounds from the cherry to gradually interact with the seed. Drying is closely monitored to ensure consistency and preserve clarity while building sweetness and complexity.
The result is a cup with layered fruit character, rounded sweetness, and a smooth, elegant body while still retaining the vibrant character that defines SL-28.
Why We Love This Coffee
SL-28 is rarely found outside Kenya, making this Costa Rican interpretation especially unique.
Combined with Brumas del Zurqui's meticulous processing and generations of coffee expertise, this lot offers a distinctive balance of ripe fruit sweetness, elegant acidity, and exceptional drinkability.
A rare opportunity to experience one of coffee's most iconic varieties through the lens of Costa Rica's renowned coffee culture.
 
Featured Variety
SL-28 — One of the world's most sought-after coffee varieties
Known for:
Vibrant fruit character
Elegant acidity
Exceptional sweetness
Outstanding cup quality
Perfect for filter brewing and showcasing terroir-driven flavour expression.