One of the most common questions we get: "Do you roast your own coffee?" We don't -- and that's by design.
Every coffee we serve and sell at Rolling Waves is roasted exclusively by Bocanegra Coffee Roasters near San José, Costa Rica. The roasting team is led by Mario Salas who has accumulated nearly 30 years of experience in specialty coffee roasting. Mario is one of the most respected roasters in Costa Rica. His expertise means we receive a robust and well-rounded selection of single origin coffees at all times -- from Palmichal, Tarrazú, Brunca, Tres Ríos, the West Valley and Central Valley, among others -- so there is always something remarkable for every palate and every brewing method. At Rolling Waves, our barista team will help you navigate to the right answer for you.
Bocanegra operates at a scale that provides for access to specialty coffees that many roasters simply cannot reach. Order sizes large enough to be interesting to top specialty coffee producers can make it difficult for smaller roasting operations to participate. With Bocanegra's rapid growth, the roasting business is capable of competing with the international market on both quantity and cost for select coffees, which results in a breadth of selection at a level of quality that is largely unmatched. Varieties like geisha, SL-28, bourbon, sarchimor, and laurina -- sourced through direct trade relationships with farmers across the country -- are always in rotation through the company's limited edition program.
Mario's experience guarantees the optimal roast profile for each coffee, executed consistently. That consistency is what allows us to focus entirely on the technicalities of preparation at our shops -- dialing in our espresso, perfecting our pour-overs, and making sure every cup reflects the quality of what the producers and Bocanegra deliver.
Mario is often engaged as a consultant for numerous Costa Rican producers, helping them to identify and submit award-seeking coffees in the Cup of Excellence competition. Through this network, Bocanegra occasionally features Cup of Excellence coffees as special edition offerings -- and when they do, you can count on Rolling Waves to be serving these coffees and offering beans for purchase.
When we opened Rolling Waves in Nosara, we needed a roasting partner who shared our standards and our vision. Bocanegra was the clear choice. Bruno and Mario and team handle sourcing, roasting, and delivery -- so we can focus on what we do best: making great coffee and building community in Nosara. This relationship gives our customers access to coffees from some of the most well-regarded producers in Costa Rica -- many of the same coffees served at numerous specialty coffee shops across the country.
Bocanegra's branding and packaging are designed by Pupila, a leading Costa Rica design agency based in San José. Every Bocanegra bag you see in our shop or receive in the mail carries their identity -- it's part of what makes the experience feel intentional.
So who wins? We all do. That's the beauty of teamwork and ensuring everyone is focused on what they do best. The most important thing is that you the customer wins and we're aligned at the hip to make sure that happens.