COSTA RICA, Alejo Castro Khale, Volcán Azul, Valle Centrale

Producer: Alejo Castro-Kahle. 

Growing altitude: 1700masl. 

Botanical variety: Typica.

Process: Natural Warm Anaerobic.

Tasting notes: Maple syrup, mandarin, pineapple, lime, red currant flavours.

Roast date: 8 August, 2025

Volcán Azul is a family-run coffee farm operated by Alejo Castro Kahle, alongside his father Fernando Castro Jiménez and mother Vivian Kahle. Both branches of the family trace their coffee-growing heritage in Costa Rica back to the 1800s. For the past 15 years, they have jointly managed the Volcán Azul micro-mill, producing some of the purest and most distinctive coffees in the world.

Set on the fertile slopes of Poás Volcano at elevations above 1,500 meters, the farm benefits from rich volcanic soil and an ideal microclimate. This Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) environment nurtures exceptional flavor development from planting to harvest.

Each step in their process reflects precision and care: Selective planting of high-quality varieties. Meticulous processing at the on-site micro-mill. Strict sorting and preparation for export-grade beans.

The family’s mission goes beyond quality. Descendants of Don Alejo C. and Don Wilhelm have expanded their legacy by championing environmental conservation as a core value. Since the 1980s, they have actively acquired over 1,500 hectares of rainforest in coffee-growing areas and the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth (home to 2.5% of global biodiversity).

By protecting natural rainforest ecosystems, they aim to reduce global warming, air contamination, and preserve critical biodiversity for generations to come.

We are proud to work with F.C.J. Volcán Azul, a family whose deep-rooted expertise, environmental ethics, and vision for the future align with the highest standards in specialty coffee.

Their coffees embody the harmony between agronomic excellence and ecological responsibility—each cup a reflection of volcanic terroir, meticulous craftsmanship, and a legacy of stewardship.

“Quality coffee and conservation go hand in hand—this is the future we’re cultivating, one harvest at a time.”

— Alejo Castro Kahle