Costa Rica SL 28

Las Lajas is a world-renowned micro-mill in Costa Rica's Central Valley. The Las Lajas Project began in 1840. Until Francisca and Oscar Chacon took over, now third generation coffee farmers, the mill operated in the same manner as every other coffee farm at the time, picking and producing the most coffee possible. Today, they are regarded as pioneers for two of the newest ways of processing coffee, the natural and honey methods.

The couple's determination and perseverance helped them survive the devastating earthquake in Costa Rica in 2006. Their mill was without power and water during the peak of harvest season. Through faith and determination, Oscar and Francisca started experimenting with methods other than washed processes, to get their coffees out of the fields. Today, they are the leading pioneers of these methods and have empowered other farmers to experiment with their processing as well.