Costa Rican Coffee Varieties

Costa Rican coffee has acknowledged standards for fine wet-processed coffee in that part of the world. The most famous coffees by region are Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Herediá, and Alajuela. The coffee beans are high in caffeine and are often blended with other varieties. The largest growing areas are in the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Puntarenas, and Cartago.

Costa Rican Varietal: Most coffee in Costa Rica comes from the caturra coffee varietal and is characterized as a bright and full bodied coffee. Popular varieties are Mondo Novo and Catuai. The best Costa Rican coffee beans are classified strictly hard bean as they grow above 3,900 feet. The diverse topography and soil throughout the country gives a distinct flavor to coffee beans grown in each region.

Costa Rica Coffee Export: Coffee remains the chief traditional export product from Costa Rica. Coffee production has played a key role in the country's history and still is important for the country’s economy being its number three export item. It has remained the number one cash crop export for several decades and comprises approximately 20 percent of Costa Rica's total GNP.

Costa Rican Coffee Beans: Costa Rica beans are identified by where the bean is grown that is the name of the estate, farm or the cooperative where processed. The typically bluish, well-polished beans make classic coffees that have well-balanced body, flavor and acidity creating wonderful aromatic beverages. Grown exceptionally high in volcanic soil contributes to the distinctive coffee. Costa Rica has seven coffee-growing regions and over 130,000 large and small coffee farms selling gourmet coffee beans as well as organic coffee beans.

Costa Rican Coffee: is sold as whole beans and ground coffee and may be found at gourmet coffee shops, organic food stores, and better grocery stores as well as a variety of online food retailers. The Tres Rios region near the pacific coast produces coffees that are mild, sweet, and bright. The Tarrazu region, which is located in the interior mountains of Costa Rica, produces a relatively heavy coffee with more aromatic complexity. The La Minita estate is the most sought after coffee in all of Costa Rica.