Costa Rica Genesis Micromill Filter

Tasting notes: Jammy orange, chocolate almonds.

Coffee breakdown:
Country: Costa Rica
Variety: San Isidro
Process: Yellow Honey
Altitude: 1650 masl

On a misty ridge in Lourdes de Naranjo, Costa Rica's West Valley, Genesis Micromill sits at 1,650 meters above sea level, a testament to one family's bold reinvention of their coffee legacy.

For years, Oscar and Olga Mendez sold their cherries to large multinational buyers, watching their harvest disappear into anonymous bulk lots. But they envisioned something different: coffee with its own identity and story. When they established Genesis, they became pioneers in Costa Rica's micromill movement, joining the earliest wave of producers who dared to process their own coffee.

The name "Genesis" marks this new beginning, a decisive break from the past.

Today, the family cultivates approximately eight hectares alongside their daughter Maria del Pilar (Pilas), who balances coffee growing with her teaching career. They grow diverse varieties including Villa Sarchi, Caturra, Catuai, and the exceptional San Isidro. Banana trees, a vast variety of flowers, and cover crops create a thriving ecosystem, while their beloved pack of eleven dogs keeps watch over the property.

The cool, misty climate provides ideal conditions for slow cherry maturation and complex flavor development. Oscar and Olga experiment with honey process, naturals, and fully washed methods, coaxing different profiles from each variety.

Beyond their own farm, the Mendez family has become community leaders, purchasing cherries from neighboring farmers and processing them at Genesis while keeping each lot carefully separated and identified. They share knowledge freely, empowering other producers to pursue quality and sustainable practices.

What began as one family's genesis has sparked transformation throughout their community. Proof that when small producers control their own narrative, exceptional coffee and empowered communities both flourish.