Costa Rica Corazón de Jesús Starmaya Geo Natural

TASTING NOTES
Starfruit florals, kiwi, honeydew, salted caramel + milk chocolate. Unique, sweet + crisp.

ORIGIN
Vista Paraíso, Chirripó, Brunca, Costa Rica

HEIGHT
1500 MASL

VARIETAL
Starmaya

PROCESS
Geo Natural

PRODUCER
Alvarado Fonseca Family

ABOUT ME
Hot on the heels of the spectacular Taka Geisha, we’re super excited to feature not one, but two more incredible coffees from this world-class producer - this captivating Starmaya alongside a beautifully expressive Milenio. Two remarkable hybrid varieties, each with its own distinctive character, showcasing the extraordinary potential of modern coffee genetics and the producer’s unwavering commitment to quality.

Click HERE to purchase both coffees together at a discount.

Corazón de Jesús is run by the Alvarado Fonseca family in Chirripó, within Costa Rica’s Brunca region. In 2015, Jhon Alvarado took the enormous risk of moving into specialty coffee and building the family’s own micro mill. Named Heart of Jesus, the project was an expression of faith as they stepped into the unknown. A decade later, the family took first place in both the washed and honey and natural categories at Costa Rica’s 2025 Cup of Excellence.

About the Starmaya Varietal

Starmaya is a groundbreaking first-generation (F1) hybrid coffee variety, developed through a remarkable cross between Marsellesa, a Central American variety prized for its resilience and resistance to coffee leaf rust, and a rare, naturally occurring male-sterile Ethiopian/Sudanese landrace. The result is a variety that combines the exceptional genetic diversity of coffee's African origins with the strength, productivity and quality potential of modern agricultural innovation.

Developed through a pioneering collaboration between French agricultural research institute CIRAD and coffee group ECOM, Starmaya represents a genuine breakthrough in coffee breeding. What makes this variety particularly extraordinary is that it was the first commercially scalable F1 Arabica hybrid capable of being propagated through seed, rather than relying on expensive laboratory cloning techniques. This achievement opened the door to making high-performing hybrid varieties more accessible to coffee producers around the world. With its impressive vigour, resistance to disease and potential for exceptional cup quality, Starmaya is a fascinating example of how scientific innovation can help shape the future of specialty coffee.

In the cup, this Starmaya is wonderfully distinctive. Starfruit florals introduce a vibrant, almost tropical character, followed by the bright, refreshing sweetness of kiwi and ripe honeydew melon. As the flavours unfold, rich salted caramel and creamy milk chocolate bring a beautiful contrast, adding depth and a soft, rounded sweetness. The result is a coffee that's wonderfully unique, sweet and crisp, with a lively acidity that brings clarity and definition to every sip.

Starmaya is a variety that represents something truly exciting for the future of specialty coffee. Its remarkable genetic story and pioneering approach to cultivation demonstrate that innovation doesn't have to come at the expense of flavour. This particular lot is a captivating expression of that potential, delivering a cup that's delicate yet vibrant, refreshingly bright yet beautifully sweet. A fascinating variety and an exceptional coffee that we're absolutely thrilled to share!

¡Gracias, Antonio y Jhon!

BREW GUIDES
We recommend the following recipes as a starting points 

Espresso
Dose: 21 grams  
Brew temperature: 93.5ºC
Bar Pressure: 8.0 
Brew time: 24 - 28 sec  
Brew weight: 46 - 50 grams 
Brew Ratio: 1:2.2-2.4

Pour Over
Brew temperature: 94ºC
20g in 340ml out (~1:17 brew ratio)

Espresso recipe developed on a La Marzocco Linea using 20g baskets and should be taken as a starting point, not set in stone as different machines extract in different ways.

Pour Over recipe developed using Hario v60 and dry (not pre-wet) filter paper. Have fun experimenting.

We ship freshly roasted coffee Monday - Friday and aim to dispatch within 24 hours. Orders placed after midday Thursday may not ship until the following week. 

Please see our FAQ for all shipping details.