Coffee in Costa Rica: Good to The Last Drop!
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Costa Rica Coffee Tours for Coffee Connoisseurs
Since it was first introduced to Costa Rica in the late 1700s, coffee in Costa Rica has been a major part of the economy - just like tourism! The delicious beverage was first grown in the country’s Central Valley region, near San Jose, where the rich soil, high altitude, and cooler temperatures were perfect for establishing Costa Rica coffee farms. Arabica coffee was the first type of coffee introduced to this Central American nation, and today – Arabica coffee is the main type of coffee grown and exported by local Ticos.
Costa Rica coffee production gained popularity in the late 19th century when the government began giving land to anyone who wanted to grow the delicious – and highly lucrative – berry. By 1830, coffee became the most successful crop in Costa Rica, surpassing tobacco, cacao, and sugar. Today, coffee in Costa Rica is a valuable crop, with more than 90 percent exported each year.
Why Do Coffee Farms in Costa Rica Only Grow Arabica Coffee?
Costa Rica’s geographic location is perfect for coffee farming. All of the world’s coffee is produced in tropical or subtropical regions because coffee requires three things:
- Warm temperatures
- High humidity
- Plenty of rain
The premier Costa Rica coffee is Arabica coffee. This high-quality coffee is the only coffee farmers are legally allowed to grow in Costa Rica, ensuring the quality of the crop. In 1989, the Costa Rican government passed a law prohibiting the production of low-quality plants. Arabica coffee plants produce a premium end product. Successful crops produce beans with a rich and full-bodied flavor, which is coveted by coffee connoisseurs all over the world. This rigorous attention to detail makes coffee in Costa Rica a true art form!
Discover Costa Rica’s Top Coffee Growing Regions
Costa Rica coffee is grown in eight main regions: Valle Occidental, Tarrazú, Tres Ríos, Orosi, Turrialba, Valle Central, Guanacaste, and Brunca. Most of the coffee in Costa Rica is acidic, with floral, fruity-tasting notes. However, if you prefer a low-acid coffee, consider purchasing a bag from the Guanacaste region. This region produces beans with a more balanced flavor and medium acidity.
If your goal is to visit a coffee farm in Costa Rica, consider a stop in four of the most popular regions, as listed below:
|
Region |
Description |
Coffee Profile |
|
Poas |
This volcanic region sits at an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet with an active stratovolcano towering even higher! The surrounding national park is a top tourist destination, but the region is home to some of the finest coffee bean farms in the world. Coffee plants in Poas are exposed to a harsh micro-climate with quick and significant temperature changes, as well as almost constant rainfall. However, the soil is also enriched with volcanic minerals, making it incredibly fertile. |
Fruity and floral, with undertones of chocolate; slightly acidic. |
|
Tres Rios |
The mountainous region of Tres Rios is considered the “Bordeaux” of coffee-growing regions. Its volcanic-enriched soil produces the most popular coffee in Costa Rica, with a pleasant aftertaste and a full body. Tourists can visit local coffee farms and enjoy the rustic small-town charm of Tres Rios on a small group tour of the region. |
Complex and intense, with rich flavors of fruit and chocolate. |
|
Terrazu |
The largest coffee-growing region in Costa Rica, this small region consists of small, independently owned coffee farms. The high altitude of the region creates coffee that has a rich, full body and is considered the best Costa Rica coffee exported. |
Intricate flavor profile, featuring warm honey, grassy hay, chocolate, dates, and malt. |
|
Naranjo |
Part of the Central Valley, Naranjo’s fertile soil grows award-winning coffee. With a consistent cool temperature, the high elevation of this region is perfect for coffee farms in Costa Rica. Naranjo is known for producing flavorful beans that win awards at competitions year after year. |
Features a balanced acidity, with notes of citrus, nuts, honey and cocoa. |
The Best Coffee Farm: Costa Rica Adventures to Remember
If you want to learn more about coffee in Costa Rica, consider signing up to tour a coffee farm! With professional guides like Gondwana Ecotours, you are guaranteed to learn more about Costa Rica coffee on a private tour of a coffee plantation. These farms are scattered throughout the country, and odds are you’ll see green and brown coffee fields dotting the hillside everywhere you go!
Coffee is grown on a shrublike tree on farms called fincas. The condition of the soil can affect the flavor of the bean, much in the same way that wine from different regions is influenced by soil and rainfall. One of the most unique things about coffee in Costa Rica, however, is that it is harvested entirely by hand. Costa Rica is the only coffee-producing country that does this. Harvest season runs from October to March, so plan your trip to a coffee farm in Costa Rica to see the harvest in action.
To experience the rustic charm of a coffee farm in Costa Rica, consider touring one of the following fincas in Costa Rica:
- El Toledo: An organic, family-run plantation in Alajuela province, where you can stay in a charming cabin and wake up to quality coffee brewing daily!
- Hacienda Espíritu Santo: Explore this large coffee plantation just outside of San Jose, where beans for global brands such as Starbucks are grown.
- Café Monteverde: Take a tour of this coffee farm in Costa Rica to discover beans grown in a cloud forest! If you can’t travel to the Monteverde highlands to see the farm, visit a nearby café in Santa Elana to savor the best cup of joe in the region!
- Don Juan: Combine your love of coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane on a tour of one of the country’s best-known farms, situated near La Fortuna waterfall.
Savoring Costa Rica With Gondwana Ecotours
From the heights of the country’s tallest mountains to the cozy cafes of small villages, coffee in Costa Rica is a serious business. And with Gondwana Ecotours’ professional guides, you can sip your way across this amazing country, one cup of coffee at a time. Savor the intricate flavor of Costa Rica coffee from each region on a custom tour that takes you off the beaten path to explore the laid-back ethos of Pura Vida for the adventure of a lifetime!
