Perla Negra - Francisca Cubillo, Costa Rica
Perla Negra - Francisca Cubillo, Costa Rica
An exclusive Hybrid 17 micro-lot crafted entirely for Torque—just 8 bags of our favorite coffee from Francisca in over 15 years of partnership.
Medium
Fruit Dried (Natural)
Bright & Fruity
Tastes like: Honeydew Melon, Mandarin Orange, Pineapple
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Trump Tariff Tax: $.65 a lb
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Perla Negra - Francisca Cubillo, Costa Rica
Perla Negra - Natural Process Single Varietal Microlot
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Beneficio Las Lajas is one of Costa Rica’s most progressive, quality-driven coffee mills. Francisca Cubillo and Oscar Chacón are third-generation producers and among the first in the country to mill their own coffee. Certified organic, Las Lajas emphasizes environmentally responsible farming alongside rigorous quality standards. We have worked with Francisca since 2009; her processing innovations have reshaped specialty coffee practices in Costa Rica and internationally.
Las Lajas is located in Sabanilla de Alejela Costa Rica near the base of Poas Volcano. The west Central Valley is the location of some of the best coffee in Costa Rica. Francisca and Oscar Chacon are third generation coffee farmers since 1840. When Oascar’s father passed away he inherited 5 hectares at the age of 18. He and his mom kept the legacy alive. In 1997 Francisca and Oscar were married. Francisca attended University in Costa Rica for an agriculture degree in coffee.
In 2009 a massive country-wide earthquake caused widespread power outages and destruction right at the peak of their coffee harvest. Francisca had a crazy idea to try and dry their coffee with the cherry intact since that is how they do it in parts of Africa where there isn't electricity and running water in the dry season. So they spread their coffee cherries out on patios, flat roofs and even hastily built camas africanas (african style raised beds) and dried their coffee slowly in the sun. The results were this crazy black dried cherry that they called Perla Negra. And it was amazingly delicious! And history was made in Costa Rica.
Learn More About This Coffee From Francisca Cubillo and Oscar Chacón
20% Return To Origin: 20% of retail price = $5.85 /340g - $6.65 /lb
20% Return To Origin = The portion of the retail price that remained in the country of origin.
Financial Transparency:
Country Of Origin: Costa Rica
Partner Since: 2009
At Torque we believe in buying more coffees from fewer producers and fewer origins We go deep rather than wide. We focus our coffee sourcing to work with a smaller group of like minded coffee producers who share our vision for changing the world of coffee.
Preparation Style: Espresso and Filter
Our approach to both sourcing and roasting is that every coffee has to be good enough to stand on its own. No blenders, no base coffees, no filler. We take that same approach to roasting and preparation methods. All of our coffees are excellent in nearly every brew method from pour over to espresso.
That being said we have our preferences and so we label our coffees with Espresso, Filter or Omni as a quick way to guide you.
Subscription Type: Modernist and Espressoist
This coffee will be featured in one of these coffee subscriptions.
xBloom Recipe
CLICK HERE FOR THE XBLOOM STUDIO brew recipe: XBLOOM LINK
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Brew Parameters
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Proportional Pricing
Out of the $400 billion coffee industry, a meager 5% stays where it's grown, leaving farmers with crumbs. At Torque, we're rewriting this injustice. Our radical approach ensures equity for coffee producers, shifting power dynamics.
Torque Coffees is transforming the coffee industry with Proportional Pricing©, a simple, transparent system that ensures at least 20% of the retail price of every coffee remains in the country of origin. Unlike traditional models that leave producers with scraps, Torque links their earnings directly to the coffee’s retail value, giving them a fairer share. No hidden fees, no complex formulas or giveback schemes—just clear, upfront equity for the people who grow your coffee. By reverse-engineering the supply chain, Torque is creating a fairer system where both producers and consumers know exactly how much value returns to origin.
We're breaking norms, building a fairer future. Torque Coffees reverse-engineered the chain, advocating for a balanced, equitable industry. It's time to empower those who make your coffee. Together, let's dismantle inequality in the coffee world.
Sustainability Info
Your Guide To Flavor
All of our coffees have notes grouping each coffee based on these four attributes. And each coffee card has sliders with the relative scale of each. Torque Compositions (our Drops) are designed to consistently deliver each quadrants flavor profile even as the coffees in the blend change.
- Classic = More classic coffee flavors like chocolate, caramel & rounded fruits
- Modern = More modern flavors like bright fruits, tropical and floral notes
- Syrupy = More rounded, heavier body with bigger mouthfeel
- Lively = More sparkling, poppy notes that dance on your tongue