Coffee became a major player in Costa Rica back in the 18th century. Since the beginnings of its development, it has influenced the country's cultural, political and social aspects. Of all the coffee-growing regions, where can you find the best Costa Rican coffee? Costa Rica has eight regions that each grows its own unique type of coffee. Because of this, the country is able to grow such diverse varieties so consumers will never be bored!
The great thing about Costa Rican coffee is that you're guaranteed quality. In fact, it is illegal to grow anything other than 100% Arabica coffee beans!
The Life of Costa Rican Coffee Beans
Where are they grown?
You can find different Costa Rican coffee beans all over the country. The climate makes for an ideal vacation and also for perfect growing conditions! The temperatures are mild and 70% of the beans grow on mountainous land. This combination allows for the growth of high-quality Arabica beans.
Costa Rica has two distinct seasons: dry and rainy. Both seasons offer a good environment to grow coffee beans. The beans grow in rich, volcanic, highly fertile soil. The volcanic ash oxygenates the beans and supplies them with a richer flavor.
When it comes to the time to pick the fruit, only the ripest cherries will be chosen. Farmers hand-pick the cherries, instead of using industrial machinery. Because of this, each bean is treated as a unique entity and no lower quality beans can be thrown into the mix.
The best Costa Rican coffee beans are known as "hard beans". This describes beans that are grown at altitudes of over 3,300 feet.
How are they processed?
Those in the industry choose to process the beans using the washed (wet-processed) method. The process results in a bright and sweet coffee profile.
Costa Rica also came up with the idea of "honey-processing", a term never heard before in the coffee industry. For this method, the coffee gets dried with some of its sugary fluid still on the parchment. This creates a cup that is in between a natural coffee and a fully washed coffee. It is sweet and fruity.
The processing of the coffee takes place in mills, or beneficios. The beans are dealt with by hand in a clean and well-thought-out environment.
Costa Rica really does set the standard for coffee processing and many other countries look to it for inspiration!
Coffee Production History in Costa Rica
The best coffee in Costa Rica didn't happen by accident. The industry developed and changed over years, to bring us the coffee we enjoy today. Let's take a brief look at the history of coffee production in this beautiful country.
Late 1700's
Costa Rica's Central Valley became home to the first Arabica coffee plants. The climate, fertile soil and high altitudes saw the plants grow very successfully. The government saw how coffee plants could positively affect the economy. To help things along, they offered free land to coffee farmers.
1808
Costa Rica became the first country in Central America to make a name for its coffee industry. The governor, Tomas de Acosta, began promoting and encouraging the cultivation of coffee.
1829
Coffee exportation was taking off! It had more success than typical exports like sugar and tobacco. The country exported to Panama, Chile and then Britain. Consumers in Britain fell in love with the coffee and it became the biggest buyers of Costa Rican coffee.
Coffee gradually became a pivotal part of Costa Rica's export industry. The income from the beans helps to modernize Costa Rica to what it is now.
1830
The Catalan opened up the first wet mill to the south of Cartago. The mill transformed the way the coffee beans were processed. It became iconic to the South American coffee industry and set the benchmark for other countries.
Modern-day
Costa Rica remains the 13th largest coffee producer around the world. It is able to produce 1.5 million bags every year, most of which is exported.
Costa Rican Coffee Varieties
Tarrazu
·Tarrazu coffee can have an acidic taste, a complex aroma, and a heavy body
· The region of Tarrazu can consistently produce some of the best Costa Rican coffee that money can buy
· The region offers high altitudes of around 1,350 meters to 1,700 meters above sea level
· You can be sure of a clean, bright cup and may be able to detect hints of berry and apple cider
Herediá
· The Herediá region is a great starting place for the famous coffee tours in Costa Rica
· A cup from here will offer a full body and a robust, rich flavor
· The tropical environment of Herediá makes for a great coffee growing climate
Tres Rios
· Tres Rios has a proud reputation for producing some of the country's (and the world's!) finest coffee
· The climate is mountainous and the wet and dry seasons allow for good growing conditions all year round
· It's the smallest coffee-growing region but has some of the best beans
· When drinking a cup, you'll notice hints of plum and citrus and nutty aromas
Alajuela
· Alajuela is the second largest city in Costa Rica
· Coffee from this region has a full body and a rich, robust flavor
· It is an area popular with tourists who want to see coffee production up-close for themselves
Where can you Find the Best Costa Rican Coffee Tours?
Intrigued to know more? You can visit Costa Rica yourself and enjoy perks like pleasant weather, happy inhabitants and stunning natural landscapes. While you're there, you can also seek out the best coffee tours in Costa Rica.
Going on a tour is the best way to really find out about the production and growth of coffee here. You'll get to visit the small growing farms and find out from farmers how they do things.
Tours usually last no more than two hours and, if you're lucky, you'll get an enthusiastic tour guide! You will be taken on a colorful journey through coffee plantations and lush areas. You'll learn about the history and culture of Costa Rican coffee. And the best bit? You'll get to taste the coffee at the end!
The Bottom Line
The great thing about Costa Rica as a tourist destination is that you can witness coffee production for yourself. You can reap the benefits and see things that only farmers would usually get to see!
The lush soil and perfect climate make for consistently great coffee. This is no small achievement. Most coffee-growing regions can't guarantee high-quality coffee all year round. With laws that only ensure the best, Costa Rican coffee is unmatched by many countries!
