Our annual release of Costa Rican single origins is always something we look forward to—but this year, it carries a deeper meaning.
The Costa Rica Heritage Collection brings together seven coffees from farms and regions across the country, each offering a distinct expression of place, process, and craft. Together, they tell a broader story—one of artisan farming, scientific innovation, and a shared hope for the future of coffee. At the heart of this release are six hybrid varieties, representing a new chapter in how coffee is grown, supported, and sustained.
At Fulcrum, over 60% of the coffee we roast already comes from hybrid varieties. This isn’t a trend for us—it’s a reflection of our long-term commitment to the future of coffee.
For centuries, coffee farming has relied on plant varieties that, while celebrated for their quality, were never designed to withstand the challenges farmers face today. Climate change, rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, plant diseases, and economic pressures are placing increasing strain on producers around the world. At the same time, global demand for coffee continues to rise, outpacing production and putting even more pressure on an already fragile system.
This is where hybrid coffee varieties come in.
Hybrid coffees are created by crossing two genetically distinct parent plants, often combining the quality potential of Arabica with the resilience and durability of Robusta. While this type of breeding has long been common in other agricultural crops, it is relatively new to coffee—and its potential is transformative.
Through our partnership with World Coffee Research, we support the development of these improved varieties. Their work focuses on equipping farmers with better tools, plants that can produce higher yields, resist disease, adapt to changing climates, and ultimately create more stable and profitable livelihoods. This research is not theoretical; it is deeply collaborative, shaped by the real needs of farmers and tested in the environments where coffee is grown.
We also work closely with ICAFE, whose leadership in Costa Rica has helped make the country a global model for innovation in coffee production. Together, these partnerships allow us to stay connected not only to the science behind coffee, but to the people and communities who bring it to life.
The coffees in this collection are the result of years of dedication—from researchers in the lab to farmers in the field. Choosing to plant hybrid varieties is not a simple decision. It requires investment, risk, and a belief in the long-term future of coffee. For many producers, it means rethinking generational practices in favor of something new and uncertain. That choice reflects both courage and vision.
At Fulcrum, our mission is to unite the coffee community through a holistic approach to sustainability—from farm to cup. We believe sustainability is not a single practice, but a continuous commitment: to quality, to transparency, and to the people at every stage of the supply chain.
Investing in hybrid coffees is one way we live out that commitment.
These varieties are not a silver bullet, but they are a critical tool. They help farmers navigate risk in an increasingly unpredictable world. They create pathways for higher productivity and better income. And they support a future where coffee farming remains viable—not just for today, but for generations to come.
The Heritage Collection is, ultimately, about connection. It connects tradition with innovation, farmers with research, and all of us with the future of coffee.
Every cup tells part of that story, the elevation it was grown at, the soil it came from, the decisions made along the way. And every bag represents something larger: an investment in resilience, in sustainability, and in the people who make coffee possible.
Thank you for being part of that story. Every bag you enjoy helps support farmers who are building a stronger, more sustainable future for coffee.
Watch a video that takes us back to where it began, as Blas Alfaro—our VP of Coffee and a fifth-generation coffee farmer from Costa Rica—introduces Obatá, one of the earliest hybrid varieties, in 2018.
