Coffee in Costa Rica is more than just an energizing drink to wake you up in the morning; it’s a way of life. Coffee farming in particular has played a vital role in the development of Costa Rican culture, and provides one of the most popular markets in the whole country.
There are two main coffee beans that are grown in this small Central American country: Robusta and Arabica, which is more difficult to roast. Arabica beans are typically the bean of choice for coffee lovers everywhwere and are known as the leading coffee source worldwide. If you didn’t know what type of beans you are drinking, chances are they are Arabica. Due to the quality coffee these beans produce and Costa Rica’s high standards for this beverage, it is actually illegal to roast anything other than Arabicas.
Because Arabica beans thrive in damp climates and high altitudes, Costa Rica’s renowned coffee farms are the perfect environment to grow the beans. The various coffee farms are located in the rural mountains of the Central Valley, specifically in the regions of Tarrazu and Brunga. Tarrazu is one of the most sought-after coffee growing regions in the world. Here, coffee plants soak up all the nutrients deposited in the soil by volcanic eruptions, enhancing the beans’ complex taste and underlying flavors.
If you’re upset you’ve never experienced the exotic flavors of Costa Rican coffee, don’t worry, you’re probably drinking it out of your Starbucks cup multiple times a week! Among the various coffee farms that Starbucks gets their coffee from, one is located in the Central Valley Mountains of Costa Rica, as well as their Global Agronomy Research & Development Center. This global coffee company has recognized Costa Rica as one of the best bean producers. National Geographic Magazine actually named Costa Rica as the premier location for brewing Arabica beans in the whole world!
Throughout the Central Valley there are many coffee farms, most of which offer plantation tours that are both entertaining and educational! If you are an avid coffee lover, make sure you pay a visit to the world’s leading coffee producers and come down to Costa Rica!