Day 15: Costa Rica, Western & Central Valley
Day 15 of the RISE Coffee Countdown Calendar - Costa Rica, Western & Central Valley
Origin: Costa Rica
Location: Western & Central highlands
Altitude: 1,200 masl
Bean: Arabica
Varietals: Caturra, Catuai - these bean varietals originally came from Brazil!
Certifications: Fair Trade
Process: Washed
Tasting notes: Sticky jam, vibrant citrus and chocolate
Why Alice and Ben love it: We LOVE Costa Rican coffee. This is a really clean, sweet cup of coffee. Alice and Ben are heading to Costa Rica in January of 2025 to meet with some of the farmers from this cup!
About the coffee:
This coffee is a Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) coffee - this is a term used to classify high-quality coffee beans grown at high altitudes, typically above 4,500 feet (1,372 meters) above sea level. The high-altitude environment results in slower growth of the coffee plants, which allows the beans to develop more complex flavours, greater density, and a harder structure. This classification is especially common in regions like Central and South America, especially Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Of course, the inaccessibility of the highest altitudes makes coffee transportation difficult and expensive, and there is always the worry of volcanic activity and the devastating tropical storms which plague Central American existence. Alice and Ben are visiting the Tarrazu region to the south of San José in January 2025. This area produces some superb coffees of exquisite acidity and what's known as a “clean” cup. A clean cup means the coffee is well balanced and has a distinctive flavour profile. This Fair Trade Costa Rican coffee is sourced from multiple cooperatives in the heart of Costa Rica. Fair Trade coffee is coffee certified to meet standards that ensure farmers receive fair prices, promote sustainable farming, and support community development.
