Tarrazu Coffee: Introduction to Costa Rican Growing Region Flavor

Tarrazu: The Most Renowned Coffee Region in Costa Rica

Tarrazu is undoubtedly the first coffee-growing region that comes to mind when thinking about Costa Rican coffee. It is also the first coffee-growing region in Costa Rica to receive origin certification. However, most people's knowledge of it is limited to these basic facts.

To truly understand Tarrazu, we must first become acquainted with a place called Los Santos (which can be translated as "Valley of the Saints" or "Los Santos").

Los Santos is an ancient growing region located in central Costa Rica, within the province of San José. It includes the administrative areas of Tarrazu town, Dota town, and León Cortés Castro.

Los Santos is influenced by warm, humid air currents from the Pacific Ocean, with an annual rainfall of 2,400 millimeters and an average temperature of 19°C. Coffee grows here at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,100 meters. The unique climate conditions, abundant rainfall, fertile volcanic ash soil, and dense forest cover provide an excellent growing environment for coffee beans.

Flavor Profile and Regional Recognition

The coffee produced here is almost exclusively hard bean, featuring a pleasing acidity with notes of chocolate, floral aromas, and fruit flavors that are widely appreciated. Because Tarrazu within this region became famous first, people gradually began using "Tarrazu" as a general classification for the broader growing region, and Tarrazu's reputation became increasingly prominent.

Legal Protection and Origin Certification

As Tarrazu's reputation spread globally, many coffee merchants sought to misuse the "Tarrazu" name. Consequently, in 2019, the Costa Rican government registered "Café de Tarrazú" as a protected designation of origin with the European Union and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The purpose was to protect this unique Tarrazu growing region and Tarrazu coffee from around the world.

The corresponding intellectual property organization certificate prevents the use of this Costa Rican coffee's name and logo domestically and internationally without proper authorization. This ensures the origin and quality of coffee beans produced in the region while providing legal certainty and protection for producers. Since then, using this designation has required greater precision.

Understanding the Tarrazu Coffee Region

We can understand it this way: Tarrazú coffee grows in three regions within Los Santos: Tarrazú, Dota, and León Cortés Castro, covering all Arabica coffee varieties such as Caturra, Catuai, Geisha, Bourbon, Typica, and others.

Tarrazu Coffee Characteristics

95% of coffee beans produced in the Tarrazu region are classified as Strictly Hard Bean (SHB), typically grown at altitudes above 1,500 meters. They are characterized by flavor notes with subtle differences of chocolate, floral aromas, and fruit flavors. FrontStreet Coffee's daily selection series includes a washed Tarrazu coffee. As a representative entry-level selection, the Caturra and Catuai varieties have relatively plump beans, carrying sweet orange, chocolate, and nutty aromas, with a persistent caramel aftertaste.

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