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Costa Rican

Flavor Characteristics (see Coffee Taste Terms):

• Complexity: Simple and balanced
• Acidity: High
• Body: Heavy mouthfeel, like cream

Facts about Costa Rican coffee

• Facts: The area's best coffee is identified by the Strictly Hard Bean designation.
• Region: Central America, south of Nicaragua, west of Panama
• Main growing areas: Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Herediá, and Alajuela
• Setting the standards: While not necessarily the most sought after coffee in the world, it is among the standards of Latin American coffee. The La Minita estate is the most sought after Costa Rican coffee. Coffee from this single estate boasts of some of the strictest standards and fairest worker conditions in the area. That it is single-estate means there is a consistency to the coffee, as opposed to being a blend of beans from different growing areas.

If you like Costa Rican coffee, you might like...

• Colombian coffee: These two coffees are very similar. Both are simple and balanced in complexity, both are very bright coffees in acidity, and both have a heavier body or consistency akin to cream. The only major difference is that Costa Rican coffee is missing the floral aroma that many enjoy in Colombian coffee.
• Brazilian coffee: Costa Rican is high in acidity, which means it will be much brighter than Brazilian coffee. It is also somewhat thicker in mouthfeel than Brazilian coffee. Despite that, both are very simple and balanced in complexity.
• Peruvian coffee: This coffee has a thickness similar to Brazilian coffee, but an acidity or brightness closer to Costa Rican coffee than Brazilian. It also has a simple and balanced complexity.
• Hawaiian coffee: This recommendation has nothing to do with cost, since Hawaiian Kona coffee is one of the two most expensive coffees in the world. If cost is an issue, go with a Kona blend, often sold as a 10% Kona blend. Like Costa Rican coffee, Hawaiian Kona coffee is simple and balanced in complexity and high in acidity. One major difference is that the body or mouthfeel of Hawaiian coffee is not as rich as Costa Rican coffee so it will sit a little lighter in the mouth. If you find Costa Rican coffee to be rich or heavy, this last point will appeal to you.

Costa Rican coffee is available at:

Boca Java

Check out Marc's posts on coffees of the world