Pioneers in coffee cultivation in Costa Rica's Central Valley, the Chacón family has been planting coffee since 1936 on the foothills of the imposing Poás volcano. The combination of altitude, soil fertility, and climate is ideal for producing high-quality, concentrated, and aromatic coffee beans.

Following their father's death, the Chacón brothers decided to change the coffee production system, focusing their efforts on environmental conservation and thus providing a stable source of employment for their workers and preserving the coffee culture within their family and community.

Oscar Chacón and Francisca Cubillo, who represent the third generation of coffee producers, decided to process the coffee from their own farms, giving rise to the Las Lajas micro-mill.

During these early 2000s, seeking excellence and aiming to offer a unique product in the coffee market led them to the creation of the natural process in 2006, which arose out of necessity after an earthquake left the Sabanilla area without electricity or water for a long period, making it impossible to carry out the traditional washed processing method.

The Alma Negra Natural demonstrates an unwavering commitment to excellence through a meticulous natural process, imparting a juicy and complex character to the cup, a celebration of the craftsmanship and flavors of the Costa Rican coffee legacy.

Aquiares, on the slopes of Turrialba Volcano, is the largest and one of the most historic coffee farms in Costa Rica, founded in 1890. 80% of its land is planted with coffee, while the other 20% is designated for forest protection. The coffee plantations are constantly interrupted by dozens of streams, springs, and rivulets, thus providing a healthy environment for native species of animals, plants, and birds.

These sustainable practices have helped protect a privileged natural environment and have supported a beautiful community of nearly 2000 people nestled in the middle of the farm. The village has an elementary school, a youth sports program, a recycling committee, a preschool nutrition center, and a church built in 1925, which is a National Historic Architectural Monument.

The Aquiareños are proud of their community and their coffee, as the farm and the community are mutually connected. The farm provides services, land, security, and honest jobs, and in return, the farm has benefited from a community with a good educational level, having highly qualified professionals to perform important administrative functions for the company.