West Valley · Variety
Catuai in West Valley
West Valley is known for cup of excellence dominance from the towns of naranjo, palmares, and grecia, and Catuai is one of the varieties behind that reputation. The region's farms sit at 1,200–1,700 m — Catuai's preferred range is 900–1,800 m — and harvest runs november – february, the window in which the variety's character is decided in the field.
Catuai brings its own agronomic personality to West Valley: a compact, wind-resistant plant with high yield potential, and disease behavior best summarized as susceptible to rust. Regional processing leans on honey, natural, washed, which shapes how the variety's raw material reaches the cup.
Tasted side by side with the same variety from other regions, West Valley's expression stands apart: the variety contributes chocolate, almond, mild red fruit, while the regional cup runs toward peach, sugarcane, and florals; elegant structured sweetness — the profile behind many of costa rica's competition winners. That interaction — genetics times place — is exactly what regional sourcing is about.
Key facts
| Region | West Valley |
|---|---|
| Country | Costa Rica |
| Region altitude | 1,200–1,700 m |
| Variety optimal altitude | 900–1,800 m |
| Harvest | November – February |
| Species | Arabica |
| Lineage | Caturra × Mundo Novo, bred by IAC Brazil (released 1972) |
| Disease resistance | Susceptible to rust |
| Regional cup profile | Peach, sugarcane, and florals; elegant structured sweetness — the profile behind many of Costa Rica's competition winners. |
Catuai in West Valley — frequently asked questions
Does Catuai grow well in West Valley?
Yes — the region's 1,200–1,700 m range overlaps the variety's preferred 900–1,800 m, and local processing traditions (honey, natural, washed) suit its characteristics. It is one of the varieties West Valley is known for.
What does West Valley Catuai taste like?
Expect chocolate, almond, mild red fruit, expressed through the region's typical character: peach, sugarcane, and florals; elegant structured sweetness — the profile behind many of costa rica's competition winners.
When is Catuai from West Valley harvested?
The regional harvest runs november – february; fresh lots typically reach export markets one to three months after milling.
Volcana Coffee grows high-altitude Catimor, Typica, and washed Fine Robusta in our own volcanic region — the Bolaven Plateau, Laos. Compare our terroir against any region in the world, cup to cup.
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