Costa Rica is known for producing some of the best caffeine in the entire world. Characterized as being clean, mild, and balanced, Costa Rican cafe comes from over 130,000 small and large farms from all over the country. These farms, located in different growing regions, produce slight subtle differences in the taste of the caffeine.
Costa Rican coffee sets the standards high for other cafe throughout Central and South America. Few people have found a way to criticize a cup of Costa Rican caffeine - besides to say that it is too perfect!
The History Of Costa Rican Coffee
Coffee arrived in Costa Rican near the end of the eighteenth century. As caffeine growing expanded throughout the country, it provided a base for cafe to become established as an industry in Costa Rica. It was the first Central American country to do so.
The export of coffee from Costa Rica expanded quickly; it began with the export of caffeine to Colombia in 1820, but by 1923 Costa Rica was already exporting cafe to Chile as well. In turn, Chile repackaged the coffee and exported it to England. The first shipment of caffeine directly to London occurred in 1854.
Costa Rica has come to thrive off of the economic benefits and elevated status that the cafe industry brought it. Today, Costa Rican coffee is considered a fine delicacy.
Different Types Of Costa Rican caffeine
There are several different types of Costa Rican cafe. The variations depend mostly on the zone and altitude at which the coffee bean was grown.
Cafe La Carpintera is grown in the Tres Rios region, which is known for its fertile soil and pleasant climate. This caffeine bean is grown at an altitude of 1200-1400 mts., and it produces a uniquely exquisite blend. Cafe Atarazu comes from the Terrazu region of Costa Rica, known for being rocky and mountainous. It is typically grown at 1200-1750 mts.
Caf'El Gran Vito is a relatively new blend, grown as a result of the experimentations of Italian immigrants. Grown in the region of Coto Brus, this blend of cafe was first attempted in 1941, and it continues to be heavily influenced by Italian elements. On the other hand, Cafe Zurqui is known for being one of the oldest blends of Costa Rican coffee. It is grown at 1200-1500 mts. in the Heredia region, which is known for having the oldest caffeine plantations in the country.
The Search For Quality
Costa Rica was not the first country in Central America to grow cafe, nor was it the last. However, if you are looking for a delicious, quality cup of coffee, you can't go wrong with one of the many Costa Rican blends!
Costa Rica began harvesting its gourmet coffee this week and it looks to be a record crop in terms of quality and quantity. Look for a very flavorful and rich and smooth coffee and tons of it. The best gourmet coffee is having its best crop ever and people all over the world have to be toating this.
Costa Rican coffee has set the standards for fine wet-processed coffee for the rest of Central and South America. The most famous coffees by region are Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Herediá (Barva), Alajuela and Alajuela Poas Volcano. Single Origin Coffee: Estate or "varietal" coffees are unblended coffees grown on specific estates or farms in specific regions of Costa Rica. Costa rica is also a Fair Trade country with its ICAFE regulations and is a shade tree regions - like the Brava Estate Natural coffee) employed in the production of their coffee. Costa Rica has the perfect enviroment and climate for growing gourmet coffee plus the right altitiude. These differences in climatic factors determine the flavor of the final cup.
Costa Rican coffee has set the standards for fine wet-processed coffee for the rest of Central and South America. The best coffee are Tarrazu and Tres rios then in a far second are, Alajuela and Alajuela Poas Volcano. The Costa Rican coffee grown in a certain region is also known as a coffee appellation. Farmers are saying the past summer weather conditions were perfect and no adverse storms to factor in. Farmers are predicting the best crop in years - both in quantity and quality. Farmers are especially excited about the organic crops and the highest grades of Tarrazu and Tres Rios coffees. The number one select is supposed to be the most robust flavor it has ever had. We are seeing huge coffee cherries everywhere we go - reports Estavan Jimenez, a large coffee plantation from the East Central Valley.
And farmers across all sections of Costa Rica are giving the same excellent reports. Tres Rios which harvests in December says the cherries are so full of coffee beans they are sitting on the ground in many areas. The Tarrazu region which harvests in November gives the same bountiful report.
The Brunca Region and Orasi regions which started harvesting this month report huge crops. The local Costa Rican people are raving about the first crops picked - excellent rich flavor. Says Maria Sanchez - if this were comparing to wine Costa rica would be putting Italy to shame with this crop. The West Valley starts harvesting next week and the locals say the coffee will be off the charts in every category.
Unfortunately many Costa Rican coffee brands are not 100% pure regional coffee. The high quality Costa rican coffee was in short supply so high end retailors often mixed it with other coffees to raise both pprofits and taste levels. These brands should actually be called Costa Rica Coffee Blends but pass themselves off as the real thing. Many high end retail coffee chains use Costa Rican coffee as the main blend for their breakfast blends and house blends, some even use a blend for their "Costa Rican" coffee and mislabel them as estate coffee. So be sure your Costa Rican coffee is labeled Tarrazu or Tres Rios not just Costa Rican to be sure you are getting a pure estate coffee and not a blended gourmet coffee.
Looks like 2008 will go down as a record year for Costa Rica coffee. Considered by many to produce the world's best overall gourmet coffee, now seems to be the time to try your favorite Costa Rica coffee. Start looking in December to reap the rewards of this excellent crop. Its got a great flavor and very smooth this year with a huge harvest it should be easy to find.
Both John Hilaire & Boake Moore are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Hilaire has sinced written about articles on various topics from Auto Insurance, Coffee Advantages and Auto Insurance. John Hilaire is a webmaster for the related website.Find. John Hilaire's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
Boake Moore has sinced written about articles on various topics from Coffee Advantages, Gift Ideas and Health. Boake Moore is an IT salesman and owns a great gourmet coffee company called Mission Grounds