The Aguilera Brothers have established themselves as a coffee growing dynasty in the West Valley region of Costa Rica. The 12 siblings have been growing coffee in the region for over 60 years, with a focus on specialty for the last two decades. Across all their family farms, they produce more than 35 different varieties, in various processing methods, all processed at the family’s own micro-mill. Finca Licho is one of the most well-known farms belonging to the Aguilera brothers and was the farm that first brought them to the attention of coffee buyers around the world.
The family bought the farm in 2004, and it was with coffee from Licho that the Aguilera’s competed in the first Costa Rican Cup of Excellence competition – achieving 4th place, and the highest price during the auction. With the proceeds from the auction, the Aguilera’s were able to reinvest in their operation, purchasing new equipment and expanding the drying patios for larger capacity. Finca Licho is now planted with more than 10 different varieties, including San Roque, Villa Sarchi, and Geisha. The family has been innovating with new varieties, for higher production and more resistance to the diseases that the coffee plants now face. San Roque (also known as San Roque Kenia or simply Kenia) is a mutation of Kenyan variety SL-28, that first occurred in Costa Rica, and has since been distributed to many producers throughout the country. Similar to SL-28, San Roque has a bright fruit acidity, with a complexity similar to cola.
