Valle Occidental

The West Valley (Valle Occidental)

Valle Occidental is recognized as one of Costa Rica's most complex and high-performing coffee regions. It is a perennial favorite in the Cup of Excellence competitions due to its diverse microclimates and innovative farming families. 

1. Geography & Terroir

Altitude: Ranging from 1,200 to 1,700+ meters (approx. 3,900–5,600 feet), providing the cool nights necessary for dense bean development.

Climate: The region benefits from a consistent balance of abundant sunshine and moderate rainfall. Unlike other areas, its harvest often coincides with the peak of the dry summer, allowing for precise control during the sun-drying process.

Soil: Rich, fertile volcanic soil provides a high nutrient base that supports the complex chemical development of the beans. 

2. Production & Scale

Volume: West Valley produces approximately 25% of Costa Rica’s total coffee output, making it the country's second-largest growing region.

Growers: It is home to over 4,870 coffee-growing families cultivating roughly 21,650 hectares of land.

Structure: The region is famous for its powerful cooperatives (such as Coopro Naranjo) and independent micro-mills that allow smallholders to isolate and market high-quality micro-lots. 

3. Varietal Profile

Core Varietals: Caturra and Catuai remain the regional standards due to their reliability and classic profile.

Endemic & Specialty: The region is the birthplace of the Villa Sarchi varietal (a natural mutation of Bourbon found in the town of Sarchí) and also grows significant amounts of Villalobos, Venecia, and Sarchimor.

Diverse Experiments: Award-winning families in the region, such as the Aguilera brothers, are known to cultivate over 35 unique varieties, including Catigua and SL-28. 

4. Flavor & Processing

Flavor Profile: Generally described as balanced and "clean," with a signature creamy texture.

Notes: Distinct hints of peach, apricot, and plum (stone fruits), accompanied by honey, vanilla, and milk chocolate.

Acidity: Often has a refined, pleasant citrus acidity compared to the sharper bite of Tarrazú.

Processing Diversity: While Washed processing is standard for a clean cup, West Valley is a leader in Honey (Yellow, Red, Black) and Natural processing, which are used to enhance the region's natural sweetness and fruit-forward characteristics.