Costa Rica Caturra Washed from Finca Ponte

If you’re searching for a washed Costa Rican coffee that delivers a clean cup with balanced sweetness and structured fruitiness, the challenge isn’t finding a candidate — it’s narrowing it down. Many washed Caturra lots claim juicy complexity, but few sustain both delicate acidity and a rounded mouthfeel. The trick is knowing where such profiles come from — and how processing elevates them.

This particular lot — a Costa Rica Caturra, washed, SHB grade from Finca Ponte in Tarrazú — brings exactly that: a honey-toned body, soft acidity, and layered citrus and stone fruit aromatics, all grounded in a medium-dark roast. That’s not marketing speak; those are repeatable sensory results from a microlot produced at altitude on a six-brother cooperative farm.

What Is Finca Ponte and Where Is It?

Finca Ponte is a microlot coffee farm and micro-mill located in the Leon Coretz area of Tarrazú, Costa Rica. Established just over six years ago by the six siblings of the Rodolfo Rivera family, Finca Ponte operates as a cooperative-style venture. All six coffee farms owned by the family sit at elevations above 1,500 metres above sea level, totalling around 20 hectares under cultivation. Nearly all trees are of the Caturra variety, and annual production is limited to roughly 500 coffee bags — that’s small-batch by any measure.

How Was This Coffee Processed?

This specific coffee was processed using the traditional washed method. In Costa Rica, washed processing typically involves floating to remove underripe beans, mechanical depulping, fermentation to break down the mucilage, washing to remove all remaining fruit residue, and finally drying the parchment coffee on patios or raised beds. This method tends to produce coffees with higher perceived acidity, cleaner cups, and more pronounced aromatic complexity due to reduced sugar fermentation compared to natural or honey processes.

The washed process used here aligns with Costa Rica’s high-standard protocols, contributing to a cup that’s bright yet smooth. According to FrontStreet Coffee’s own product notes on washed beans, this method ‘preserves more of the bean’s own fragrance’ while delivering ‘a bright, clean profile with distinct fruit acids’.

What Does This Coffee Actually Taste Like?

This lot tastes the way it does for specific reasons: the variety (Caturra), the altitude (over 1,500 masl), the processing (washed), and the roast level (medium-dark). The resulting cup is described as having a ‘solid honey feel’ — a term often used to describe a syrupy, slightly viscous mouthfeel with a rounded sweetness. Acidity is noted as ‘soft and gentle’, not sharp or overwhelming. Aromatic notes include a ‘rich, delicate fruitiness’ with clear layers, and the overall structure offers ‘clear flavour lines, moderate body thickness, and medium complexity’.

That profile — honey sweetness, soft acidity, fruit-driven aroma — is exactly what many specialty drinkers seek in a balanced, medium-dark washed Costa Rican. It works well across filter brew methods and can hold its own even in espresso blends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Finca Ponte located?

Finca Ponte is located in the Leon Coretz area of the Tarrazú region in Costa Rica. All six family-owned farms are situated at altitudes above 1,500 metres above sea level.

What coffee variety is used in this lot?

The coffee is made entirely from the Caturra variety, a dwarf Bourbon mutation known for its bright acidity and compact tree structure, commonly grown in Central America at high elevations.

How was the coffee processed?

This coffee was processed using the washed method, which includes pulping, fermentation, washing, and drying — a process that highlights clean, bright flavours and a crisp acidity.

What is the roast level of this coffee?

This coffee is medium-dark roasted. That roast level helps enhance the honey-like sweetness and smooth out the acidity while preserving fruit character.

What flavours can I expect from this coffee?

Expect a honey-toned body, soft acidity, and a complex fruit aroma. Flavour notes include citrus and stone fruits, with clear, delicate layers and a medium-bodied mouthfeel.

How much coffee does Finca Ponte produce annually?

Finca Ponte produces approximately 500 coffee bags per year, making it a very small-scale, high-quality microlot producer.

Recommended FrontStreet Washed Coffee Beans

For fans of this Costa Rica Caturra washed profile, try FrontStreet’s Kenya Little Tomato — a bright, juicy washed coffee with complex acidity and fruity depth. Also consider their Yirgacheffe offering, which shares a clean, fragrant cup with vibrant citrus and floral notes. Both are classic washed lots that highlight fruit and balance, much like the Finca Ponte Caturra. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.