Carlos Montero, a longtime Metric partner and pioneer of the micro-mill movement in Costa Rica, originally planted apples on these terraces. Today, those same terraces give his coffee an edge—helping plants thrive in this rugged, high-altitude environment. Just across the ridge lies Manzanal, a neighboring plot named for the orchard it once was.
Despite the challenges of farming at extreme elevation—and increasingly unpredictable climate conditions—Carlos and his family continue to adapt with care and creativity. Under the Don Eli name, they manage both farm and mill, separating lots by block, picking date, and process to highlight each micro-lot’s unique character.
This Red Catuai lot was processed using the Reposado Honey method. After harvest, the cherries were sealed in bags and rested in the shade for 48–72 hours, then pulped and fermented again in stainless barrels for another 48–72 hours. Finally, the coffee was dried slowly on raised beds for around three weeks under full sun.
The result is a deeply layered and expressive cup—reflecting both the singular terroir of Anfiteatro and the thoughtful processing behind it. Our relationship with Carlos is built on years of trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality. Since founding Don Eli in 2014, he has remained dedicated to producing transparent, standout coffees that push the boundaries of what Tarrazú can offer.
Green Price
$5.60
Green cost, milling, transport, taxes and exporting fees.
Transport
$0.70
Importing fees and transport from the farm to Chicago, Illinois.
Our Cost of Production
$6.00
Labor, Rent, Health Insurance, Paid Time Off
Metric
$12.30
Per 10.5oz bag of coffee
Read The Source Code to learn more about price transparency in the coffee industry.
Costa Rica Don Eli Red Honey
Tarrazú, Costa Rica
- Producer Carlos Montero
- Elevation 1700 MASL
- Process Honey
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Quality
Quality means buying high quality coffees from established producers around the world.
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Traceability
Traceability gives recognition to the producers and validates where the coffee is grown, picked, and processed.
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Transparency
We endeavor to contextualize the importance of a fair and balanced trade through the prices we pay.
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Paying More
As an Independent Specialty Coffee Roaster, we always pay well above the C-Market based on two factors; the quality of coffee and the cost of production.
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Fair Wage
A fair wage begins with paying higher premiums to the coffee producer in tandem with providing competitive wages and benefits for our staff here at Metric.