West Valley · Variety
Caturra in West Valley
West Valley is known for cup of excellence dominance from the towns of naranjo, palmares, and grecia, and Caturra is one of the varieties behind that reputation. The region's farms sit at 1,200–1,700 m — Caturra's preferred range is 1,200–1,900 m — and harvest runs november – february, the window in which the variety's character is decided in the field.
Caturra brings its own agronomic personality to West Valley: a dwarf/compact, high planting density plant with high (with fertilization) yield potential, and disease behavior best summarized as highly susceptible to leaf 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 bright citric acidity, sugar-cane sweetness, lighter body than bourbon, 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 | 1,200–1,900 m |
| Harvest | November – February |
| Species | Arabica |
| Lineage | Natural dwarf mutation of Bourbon, discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil (1930s) |
| Disease resistance | Highly susceptible to leaf rust |
| Regional cup profile | Peach, sugarcane, and florals; elegant structured sweetness — the profile behind many of Costa Rica's competition winners. |
Caturra in West Valley — frequently asked questions
Does Caturra grow well in West Valley?
Yes — the region's 1,200–1,700 m range overlaps the variety's preferred 1,200–1,900 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 Caturra taste like?
Expect bright citric acidity, sugar-cane sweetness, lighter body than bourbon, 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 Caturra 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.
Request a Sample