Tasting Profile: Sweet apple, raisin, honey.
Costa Rican coffee is globally recognized for its exceptional quality, and the beans grown in the Alajuela region are no exception. Cultivated by small micro-farms in this rich agricultural area, Costa Rica Alajuela coffee delivers a bright, fruity cup with delightful sweetness and complexity. This coffee is a true reflection of its terroir, showcasing the balance between Alajuela’s fertile volcanic soil, high elevation, and temperate climate.
Nestled in the central part of the country, Alajuela benefits from elevations between 1,200 to 1,600 meters above sea level, perfect conditions for growing specialty coffee. The farms in this region are typically small and family-owned, with each farm meticulously tending to its coffee plants to ensure only the ripest cherries are picked. This careful, hands-on approach results in a coffee that is bursting with fresh, natural flavors. In a medium roast, the natural sweetness of the coffee shines through with tasting notes of sweet apple, raisin, and honey, creating a cup that is both bright and deeply satisfying.
Costa Rican coffee is known for its strict focus on quality over quantity, with the country enforcing laws that prohibit the growth of anything but 100% Arabica coffee. This commitment to excellence can be tasted in every cup of Costa Rican coffee, particularly from regions like Alajuela, where the unique microclimates bring out the coffee’s full flavor potential.
What sets Alajuela’s coffee apart is not just the environment, but the dedication of the micro-farmers who grow it. These small-scale farmers often use environmentally friendly practices, such as shade-grown methods and organic farming, to enhance both the quality of the coffee and the sustainability of their land. The attention to detail at every stage, from planting to harvesting, contributes to the coffee’s remarkable sweetness and complexity.
Costa Rica also has a rich coffee culture, with coffee playing a central role in daily life. In Costa Rica, coffee is often referred to as "Yodo," a slang term, and it is common for families to brew their coffee using a traditional "chorreador," a cloth filter device that allows for slow brewing, enhancing the coffee’s natural flavors.
A fun fact: Costa Rica was one of the first Central American countries to establish a coffee industry, and it has played a pivotal role in the country's economic development. In fact, coffee production in Costa Rica began as early as the 1700s, and today, it’s one of the most sustainable coffee-growing countries in the world, with a focus on environmentally friendly and high-quality practices.
Costa Rica Alajuela coffee is a delightful expression of the region’s rich agricultural traditions and ideal growing conditions. With its sweet apple, raisin, and honey notes, it offers a cup that is complex yet approachable, perfect for those who enjoy a balanced and naturally sweet coffee experience.
