Three Coffee Growing Regions in the Americas | Costa Rican Bean Flavor and Tarrazú Region Introduction

Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style).

FrontStreet Coffee - American Coffee Growing Regions: Introduction to Costa Rica's Tarrazu Region

Costa Rica is located in Central America, in the valley region of Latin America. It borders Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It possesses a natural ecological environment favorable for coffee growth—the higher the altitude, the better the coffee beans. This is not only because higher altitudes can increase the acidity of coffee beans, thereby enhancing flavor, but also because the lower nighttime temperatures at higher elevations slow down tree growth, making the coffee beans' flavor more intense. Additionally, the elevation differences create abundant rainfall, which is also very beneficial for coffee tree growth. The country has several high-altitude volcanoes that provide mineral-rich soil for coffee cultivation.

Notable Representative Coffee: Tarrazu

Like other Central American countries, Costa Rica predominantly grows Arabica coffee. Its coffee is mainly cultivated in two highland regions: one is the highland area near the capital San Jose, and the other is the Tarrazu mountain region southeast of San Jose. Because it is also grown at high altitudes, Costa Rican coffee has a strong acidity, and due to the lower temperatures in mountainous areas, coffee trees grow more slowly, resulting in a more complex and non-monotonous taste. Coffee produced in the Tarrazu region is particularly loved by coffee tasters due to its special flavor characteristics, including fruitiness with hints of chocolate or nutty notes.

At an altitude of 1,200-1,700 meters, with harvest season from December to March, the coffee from this region features smooth high acidity, hard and full beans, and rich aroma. This world-renowned growing region's main characteristic is the unparalleled perfect taste created by its high-altitude cultivation.

Tarrazu is located south of the country's capital San José and is one of the most valued coffee-growing areas in the country. "La Minita Tarrazu" coffee is a local specialty, but production is limited to approximately 72,600 kilograms annually. It is grown on land called "La Minita," which has been owned by the British McAlpine family for the last three generations. The La Minita estate in the Tarrazu region has an annual output of only 160,000 pounds. In fact, this land could produce over 450 tons of coffee annually. However, La Minita Tarrazu coffee is cultivated without artificial fertilizers or pesticides, and its harvesting and selection are completed entirely by hand. This is done to avoid the damage that air-jet sorting methods can cause to coffee beans to some extent.

Other noteworthy coffees include: Juan Viñas (PR), H. Tournon, Windmill (SHB), Montebello, and Santa Rosa. Premium coffee is generally grown in Heredia and the Central Valley.

Knowledge Extension: Costa Rica's Eight Coffee Regions

Costa Rica has eight coffee-growing regions, including Central Valley, Western Valley, Tarrazu, Turrialba, Guanacaste Province, Tres Ríos, Orosí, and Brunca. Among these, Tarrazu, Central Valley, and Western Valley are the three main coffee-producing regions.

FrontStreet Coffee's Mission

In summary: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research institute dedicated to sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation simply to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold coffee discount events three times every month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible prices. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six years!

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473