River coffee roasters. Everything you need to know

🌟 This Month’s Chosen Coffee 🌟

River Coffee Roasters – Costa Rica (Carlos Montero)

The story: River Coffee Roasters started with founder Will hopping on a one-way ticket to Latin America to truly learn coffee from the ground up. From Colombia to Costa Rica, he worked side by side with farmers, soaking up the craft behind every cup. Fast forward to 2018, River was born in the UK and now roasting over 1,000kg a day from their Hampshire HQ while staying true to its roots: great coffee, direct relationships, and full traceability.

✨ This season, Will and Ben cupped eight Costa Rican coffees and picked this absolute gem with farmer Carlos Montero. 

When we travelled to Costa Rica, we had the privilege of spending time with farmer Carlos Montero and his family at their farm in Tarrazú. Over a few unforgettable days, Carlos welcomed us into his world, showing us the organic and sustainable practices that make his coffee so special. From cultivating shade-grown coffee that protects biodiversity to reusing coffee pulp as natural fertiliser, every step was rooted in care for both the land and the people. Sharing breakfast with Carlos each morning while overlooking rows of coffee trees was an experience that brought his story and his coffee to life.

Fun fact: Alice, Ben & their son actually stayed with Carlos for 3 days  breakfast at his kitchen table every morning. Pretty special, right?

After our visit to Costa Rica, we knew we had to get one of Carlos's coffee into the RISE coffee box. We worked really closely with Will from River coffee as we knew he had a direct relationship with Carlos too. We picked out 8 coffees and tried them all side by side, but this month's honey processed coffee was a total stand out. 

☕ About the Coffee

Costa Rica season is HERE and the fresh harvests have just landed! This coffee comes from the legendary Don Eli Micro-Mill in Tarrazú, run by Carlos and his son Jacob — pioneers who transformed how coffee is processed in the region. Their honey and natural processes create vibrant, exciting flavours:
👉 Think smooth chocolate, citrus, sugar, and a touch of berries and nuts.

They grow their coffee high in the mountains (1,500–1,700 masl), shade-grown under biodiversity-friendly conditions. Sustainable, rare, and ridiculously delicious.

🏆 Quick Facts

• Roast: Medium

• Process: Honey

• Altitude: 1,500–1,700 masl

• Tasting notes: Smooth chocolate, sugar & citrus

⭐ Customers Say… (TrustPilot & Reviews)

River Coffee Roasters regularly earns high praise, with TrustPilot often showing 4.8–5.0 stars. Here are a few sampled quotes:

• “Absolutely stunning roasts. The Source blend is caramel-perfect and has become my morning staple.”

• “Local delivery was quick, packaging was beautiful, and the beans stayed fresh. Fantastic flavour.”

• “River’s beans are consistently great; the hospitality training they gave our café has been transformative!

Coffee Catalogue: A Roaster’s Dream Lineup

River Coffee Roasters boasts an impressive variety, all specialty-grade:

1. Source Blend – Great Taste awarded blend with notes of caramel, plum, and berries. The coffee we all rave about.

2. Regional Single Origins – Seasonal beans from Colombia, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Tanzania, shifting each quarter.

3. Micro-lot Features – Tiny batches spotlighting experimental processes or varietals (e.g., anaerobic naturals or experimental fermentation experiments).

4. Decaf Options – Using Swiss-Water process, for those craving flavour without caffeine.

They support multiple brewing methods: espresso, filter/V60, cold brew, and even sporty AeroPress gear.

Why River Stands Out: Ethos Meets Craft

• Direct Relationships: River works closely with farmers in Latin America, paying fair prices and emphasising quality, traceability, and community benefit.

• Ethical Packaging & Local Roots: Fully recyclable packaging, printed locally, embodies their Hampshire to the world philosophy.

• Education & Support: River provides barista training, equipment installation, and regular check-ins for wholesale clients — not just selling supply but building coffee culture.

🔥 We learned so much about coffee while staying with Carlos, and we couldn’t be more excited to share his coffee with you. Brew it, sip it, and taste a little piece of Costa Rica.