The only country to have banned robusta cultivation by law (1988).
The only country to have banned robusta cultivation by law (1988). Known as the birthplace of honey processing, with advanced mill (beneficio) techniques.
Costa Rica is the small giant that has led Central America’s specialty culture. Famously the only country to ban Robusta cultivation by law (1989), it committed itself as a matter of national intent to Arabica and specialty quality. The regional classification — Tarrazú, West Valley, Central Valley, Brunca and others — and the rise of small wet mills known as the micro-mill revolution shape where Costa Rican coffee stands today.
In 1989 Costa Rica made a decision unique in the world: prohibiting the cultivation of Robusta by law. Going all-in on Arabica and specialty quality lifted the country’s baseline and built its brand in the international market. Small as it is, Costa Rica is a fixture of the Cup of Excellence and appears constantly at world barista championships.
In the 2000s came the movement called the micro-mill revolution. Processing that had been concentrated in large cooperatives moved to "micro mills" set up by smallholders themselves, opening an era in which each farm could experiment with and differentiate its own processing. The honey process, graded white → yellow → red → black, was put into wide practice in Costa Rica; its appeal is the flexibility to tune the balance of sweetness and acidity by how much mucilage is left on.
For its size, Costa Rica has eight official coffee regions: Tarrazú, West Valley, Central Valley, Tres Ríos, Brunca, Orosi, Guanacaste and Turrialba. Tarrazú in particular, at 1,600–1,900m, is the flagship — known for some of the brightest acidity and florals in the country. West Valley tends to draw complex sweetness from honey and black-honey processing, while Brunca is the up-and-coming region of organic farming and smallholders.
Costa Rica's finest region. Clean, bright acidity with a sweet finish.
See Tarrazú details →A region around the capital San José. Balanced and easy to drink, with diverse honey processing.
See Valle Central details →A region in southern Costa Rica. Mild and easy-drinking, often used in espresso blends.
See Brunca details →Draws out citrus and honeyed sweetness. For honey-process lots, slightly cooler water emphasizes the sweetness.
A clean cup with sweetness and acidity in balance.
The "Romanée-Conti of coffee," born in Panama
Combining with chocolate, cheese, fruit and wagashi
The same bean, a different drink. How the handling of the fruit sets the flavor's direction
The same bean becomes a different drink. A map of how acidity, sweetness and body move with roast level
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Founded in 1991. A pioneer of Japanese specialty coffee whose founder has served as a Cup of Excellence international judge. An active direct-trade buyer handling top-quality lots from Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala and beyond.
Founded in 1990, a pioneer who laid the groundwork of Japanese specialty coffee. Known for direct origin visits, long-term farmer relationships, and books that systematized brewing and roasting theory. Excels at balanced medium to medium-dark roasts.
An Osaka roaster run by an Australia-trained roaster. Carefully roasts characterful lots from Ethiopia and Costa Rica at medium to light. The shop strongly reflects overseas coffee culture.
A stylish specialty roaster in a back alley off Tominokoji, Kyoto. Praised for seasonal single origins and its own house blends, with a strong commitment to hand-picked, small-lot coffee.
A taste-profile quiz pins down your preferences, then 3 coffees from 30+ partner roasters arrive monthly. A Japan No.1 subscription that suits beginners and experts alike.
A specialty green-bean platform buying directly from producers. Aimed at roasters and enthusiasts, with high transparency down to origin, farm and process.
A famed Osaka shop founded over 55 years ago. A "coffee appraiser" hand-picks the green beans, centered on medium-dark roasts for nel drip. Reliable, consistent quality.
Starting from flavors common to all of Costa Rica’s regions, here are 3 similar regions from other countries.
