Las Lajas Micromill: Pioneers of Costa Rica’s Coffee Honey Processing

The History of Las Lajas Micromill

Costa Rica’s Las Lajas Micromill is one of the most influential forces in the country’s specialty coffee movement. Run by Oscar and Francisca Chacón, this pioneering family has been instrumental in shaping the rise of microlots, honey processing, and experimental natural methods that have put Costa Rican coffee on the global map. Their commitment to organic farming, meticulous processing, and flavour‑driven innovation has made Las Lajas a benchmark for producers and roasters worldwide.

The family also owns over 30 hectares of coffee across 8 farms in the surrounding area, which is heavily influenced by the near Poás Volcano and advantageously receives rains from the Atlantic-ocean.  Las Lajas has a long history of organic farming, becoming one of the first certified‑organic farms in Costa Rica. Their organic practices date back to the 1980s, driven by a family commitment to sustainability.

🍯Pioneers of Honey & Natural Processing

Las Lajas is widely recognised as one of the first Costa Rican mills to master honey processing, developing variations such as Yellow, Red, and Black Honey. Their breakthrough moment came in 2008 when an earthquake disrupted water access, forcing the family to experiment with natural and honey methods. The results were exceptional — intensely sweet, fruit‑forward coffees that quickly gained international attention and helped define Costa Rica’s modern processing identity.

🔬Innovative Honey & Natural Processing Techniques

One of the most distinctive aspects of Las Lajas is their approach to drying. Oscar and Francisca use temperature‑controlled drying curves, adjusting airflow, movement, and resting periods to shape flavour development — similar to how roasters profile a coffee. This meticulous approach allows them to produce microlots with remarkable clarity, sweetness, and complexity, making Las Lajas coffees some of the most sought‑after in the specialty market.

🌿 Sustainability

Each year Las Lajas produces around 100,000 kilos of coffee with approximately 80% of this fit for export, a high percentage in the area. 90% of this is processed as either a honey or natural coffee, a far cry from 0% back before the earthquake in 2008. Core to the values of the company, Las Lajas re-invests to improve facilities and progression of their quality.  In the past few years, they have refurbished their quality room, expanded office space and purchased a new roaster.

Sustainability is at the core of Las Lajas’ philosophy. The farm has a long history of organic agriculture, using natural compost, shade‑grown practices, and water‑saving depulping methods. Their commitment to environmental stewardship not only protects the land but also enhances cup quality, contributing to the clean, vibrant flavours their coffees are known for.

At Motobean, we’re proud to roast coffees from pioneering producers like Las Lajas. Explore our Costa Rican microlots and taste the innovation behind one of the world’s most influential mills.