Starbucks has awarded Costa Rica - Lomas Al Rio - the honour of being a Black Apron Exclusive coffee.

The newest addition to the special line of rare and exotic coffees is named after Cafetalara Lomas al Rio, the organic mill that processes the coffee - which is the largest in Costa Rica and the third largest in Central America.

“Starbucks has been purchasing Lomas al Rio coffee to use in blends since 1998. This year’s production was so elegant and unique that the company decided to award them the honour of becoming a Black Apron Exclusives coffee,” said marketing manager of Starbucks Middle East Antoun Abou Jaoude.

Every year since 1998, the entire organic crop that the mill has produced has been used in Starbucks Serena Organic Blend. In addition to being certified organic in the US, Cafetalara Lomas al Rio is a C.A.F.E. (Coffee & Farmer’s Equity) Practices verified supplier.

Coffees from Costa Rica are known for their crisp, clean acidity. Each coffee-growing region produces a coffee that differs slightly in flavour from the others.

Lomas al Rio comes from the Central Valley region, one of seven coffee-growing regions in Costa Rica. Some of the farms supplying Lomas al Rio are at a very high elevation; 1,700 metres and higher.

This altitude, combined with the commitment to using quality processing methods, shows Lomas al Rio as a perfect example of the acidity common to many of the country’s coffees, yet features floral notes surrounded by a medium body not typical of today’s Costa Rican coffees.

Costa Rica Lomas Al Rio is available across Starbucks stores in the Middle East. – TradeArabia News Service