“It’s pitch dark!” — Coffee producer ‘Joselyn’ says,

We slowly dry our coffee in a humidity controlled Dark Room, like the one that you use to develop film.”

“It takes over a month to dry one lot as you have to dry it slowly.

We can only do limited amounts, so we prioritize the batches that we want to focus on and dry them here."

And now you’ll see Joselyn’s ‘Dark Room’

1. Typica Variety in Dark Room Series. Dried rose, Peach, lingering hint of vanilla, smooth texture.

“Sally, I think you’d really like this coffee.”

Joselyn’s coffee was sold out in a flash between the summer and autumn of last season.

As she started with the harvesting of the new year’s lot, she often messaged me with updates from the farm. In spring this year, true to her word, Joselyn sent me samples as soon as she finished processing the first few coffee selections.

And just like she told me, I could immediately tell the difference with the first sip. The coffee was much cleaner and more delicate than before. It was clear that Joselyn, a producer with so much potential, had been working hard to improve her craft, and it showed.

Holding the mug tightly, I savored each sip of this delicious coffee. I felt lucky and privileged to be one of the first to taste it. *Sitting right in my room*. It's a feeling I want to share with others.

/ letter from Sally, Sourcing Director


2. On the way to meet Joselyn 

Although I've never told her before, Joselyn breaks many prejudices. For one, she is a coffee producer, that doesn’t fit the stereotype. And for that, I admire her even more.  After 7 hours of what-seemed-like-an-endless trip to Brunca, I got to see her again at her family farm. And on my arrival, we hugged and danced, compensating for all the time spent apart.

Her straight black hair tightly tied up and golden hoop earrings, she is a coffee producer that tirelessly studies to develop the best roast curve for her coffee, and tests out various extraction recipes and brewers to bring out the best qualities from her own coffee. She could rightfully be called a roaster and barista.

This year’s visit was even special as she invited me excitedly to show me her newest innovation, the *dark room*. “Wait, a dark room like the one that you use to develop film?” I asked, and she responded, “yes! Similar in concept! We slowly dry our coffee in a humidity-controlled dark room! It’s pitch dark. I learned it from friends who run farms in Panama!”

/ Picture & Letter from Sunghee
* Sunghee of bean voyage brings us along with her as she visits Joselyn in Costa Rica. bean voyage collaborates with smallholder women coffee producers to build thriving futures with them.