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History of Coffee in
Costa Rica
know.
Truly Great Coffee
High-quality coffee has been and continues to be both serious business and a point of pride for Costa Ricans. Costa Rican coffee standards are so high, in fact, that it is actually illegal to grow anything other than Arabica beans in the country.
Coffee has played an important role in Costa Rica since the 1700s.
The first coffee Arabica crops were brought to this beautiful little country in 1779 by way of Ethiopia. The government soon realized the potential of this crop and in the 1900s offered free land to anyone who showed an interest in coffee farming. By 1829, coffee became one of the most important sources of revenue for Costa Rica and boasted export revenue that surpassed that of sugar, cacao, and tobacco.
The soil and climate in Costa Rica is ideal for growing Coffee which is why it’s so delicious.
Coffee was first grown in the Central Valley of Costa Rica where the climate is cool, the soil is fertile, and the altitude is high, all factors that help to create a killer crop.
Coffee production in Costa Rica is so important that laws have been passed to ensure its species and quality.
In 1989, the production of Robusta Coffee was prohibited due to its subpar quality. Coffee farmers have also stopped producing Catimores coffee due to poor quality issues. In fact, Costa Rica is the only country where executive decree only allows the Arabica species to be grown. The Arabica species actually contains the least amount of caffeine but the most desirable flavors. There are two varieties of Arabica: Bourbon and Typical, and 8 sub-varieties known as cultivars. All of this has resulted in Costa Rica winning numerous international contests and certifications.
