Don Cayito Mejorado: Varietal Character
Introducing the stunning Don Cayito Mejorado from the Los Ángeles micromill, in Tarrazú, Costa Rica. With notes of sweet blueberry, delicate strawberry, and a light floral aroma, explore the incredible Mejorado variety, and its journey, from farm to cup, below.
Los Ángeles Micromill: A Foundational Relationship in Costa Rica
Los Ángeles Micromill is one of our longest-standing relationships in Costa Rica. For several years, we specifically purchased an SL28 varietal from one of their farms for our "12 Lessons" program. In 2025, we shifted our approach, opting to source exceptional coffee based on whatever they had to offer. We had previously bought from the Don Cayito farm in 2016, which was relatively new at the time. It's great to see it back in our shop, though we've consistently worked with the Calderón family and their other farms for over a decade.
Cupping and Selection Process
While we typically make our selections in our London lab for impartiality, this past season, our green buyer, Jamie Isetts, combined a visit to our farmer partners with an offer-cupping in San José at exporter Exclusive’s lab. This allowed her to taste many more offers than in recent years and provided a rare opportunity to cup with some of the producers directly. “I usually prefer to prioritise travel for farm visits and conversations,” Jamie notes, “but this was a valuable experience, especially because most of these producers are strong cuppers themselves.”
The last of five large cupping tables featured "special varietal" offers from Los Ángeles. Even tasting them blind, the distinct flavours immediately set them apart from the more common Catuaí and Caturra. Here are Jamie’s cupping notes tasting the Don Cayito Mejorado back in May:
Fragrance: Blueberries, jasmine
Break: Blueberries, floral
First pass: Blueberry, floral. Cleaner process flavours.
Second Pass: Nut butter, textured (reminiscent of Geisha varietal)
The Mejorado Variety
Genetic testing by World Coffee Research has revealed that the “Typica” Mejorado (or Mejorada) variety is a hybrid of Bourbon and Ethiopian Landrace, despite its name suggesting a connection to the Typica varietal. Interestingly, its cup profile is reminiscent of Typica, offering notes of blueberry, strawberry, light florals, and a tea-like body. The Calderón family's decision to process this lot as a rested honey further enhances its juiciness and sweetness, creating a truly fabulous combination.
Jamie writes, “I cupped several special varietal lots, including two Mejorado and an actual Typica varietal. The lot you'll taste was the clear winner. We've decided to maintain the "Mejorado" spelling of the name (versus the oft-seen "Mejorada") as that's how the Los Ángeles Micromill referred to it.” Enjoy this special treat, Don Cayito Mejorado!
A special occasion
To share this coffee as widely as possible, we’re launching the very first run of a new 175g bag size, which will be available for special releases only. If you are ordering a single bag of coffee, you will still receive it in our letterbox packaging. However, for orders of two bags or more, keep an eye out for the new, smaller bag. With a limited supply available, order yours here.
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