Costa Rica Cup of Excellence #3 Washed | 90.46 Score (4 or 12 cups)

This San Roque from Don Cayito’s Quebrada Grande farm is a standout coffee that brings the dedication of the Calderón family to every cup. Grown at 6,069 feet and processed using the traditional washed method, it earned third place in the 2024 Cup of Excellence Costa Rica with a score of 90.46, showcasing both precision and care at every stage.

The cup opens with the sweetness of brown sugar and the warmth of cocoa and hazelnut, followed by bright, lively notes of bergamot, berries, and tropical passion fruit. Each layer reflects the careful selection of fully ripe cherries and the family’s hands-on attention through harvest, fermentation, and drying.

What makes this coffee remarkable is not only its vibrant, balanced flavor but the story behind it. Every step is guided by generations of experience, family effort, and pride, making each cup a connection between the highland, the people who nurture it, and the coffee lovers it reaches around the world.

High in the mountains of Santa María, Tarrazú, Costa Rica, Ricardo Calderón and his family pour their hearts into their coffee project, Don Cayito. Ricardo and his wife, Doña Lourdes, along with their children, Lizeth, Diego, Michael, and Fernanda, work side by side to carry forward a legacy rooted in family and craftsmanship.

Their Quebrada Grande farm was purchased in 2017, named after the small neighborhood where it sits, surrounded by misty hills and fertile soil that define the region’s exceptional coffee. From planting and picking to processing and drying, every step is handled with the same precision and care that has made Don Cayito a name of excellence.

The family’s commitment has not gone unnoticed. They won first place in the Cup of Excellence competition in 2011, 2018, 2022, and then went over and above in 2024, winning five places in just one year, earning international recognition for their dedication to quality and innovation.

For Ricardo, success is measured not only in awards but in the way his family has grown together through their work. Each harvest is a testament to their unity, their love for the land, and the remarkable spirit of Tarrazú that lives in every bean.

The Cup of Excellence is the most prestigious coffee competition, identifying the finest coffees through rigorous evaluation. Thousands are submitted, but only a handful per country earn the coveted name. These rare, top-scoring coffees are then auctioned to the highest bidders—an honor few U.S. roasters achieve. Yet, Angelino’s has done just that. For the first time ever, we’re bringing you the best coffees in the world, each crowned a Cup of Excellence in its country. Now, they’re yours to experience.

Follow our brew guide on to get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime coffee experience.