This coffee is produced by Diego Robelo at the Aquiares estate in Turrialba, Costa Rica. The farm, founded in 1890 and situated on the fertile slopes of the Turrialba Volcano, is the largest coffee farm in Costa Rica and home to approximately 1,800 people. This is a Natural processed H1 Centroamericano cultivar grown at 1,200 meters altitude, harvested in February-March 2025. The cup showcases bright red fruit and raspberry notes with subtle tropical tones, balanced by a rich sweetness reminiscent of cookie dough.
Kiss the Hippo launched in 2018 as London's first carbon negative coffee roastery. Every coffee they sell is certified organic by the Soil Association and certified carbon negative, with reforestation projects in Colombia, Madagascar, Zambia, and Nepal through a partnership with Swiss nonprofit On A Mission. They pay farmers at least 50% above Fair Trade prices, often double. The roastery has won the UK Barista Championships three times, with victories by Joshua Tarlo in 2018, Paul Ross in 2019, and Paul Ross again in 2020 and now supplies seven London café locations. Sustainability extends to fully compostable pods, recyclable packaging, a Living Wage commitment, and a partnership with bio bean that turns used grounds into biofuels.
