Le café du Costa Rica

It’s a joy to work as an artisan coffee roaster. Over time, our research has led us to discover wonderful coffee-producing countries.

A “rich” coffee

Costa Rica’s natural wealth comes from the quality of its soils, which the country has learned to make the most of. The population understands that protecting the environment is vital to the country’s economy.

A country focused on its coffee

Coffee cultivation in Costa Rica may have been more influential in the economy of this Central American country than in any other. As with its neighbors, it chose to work exclusively with 100% Arabica beans. But it went even further. Coffee growers were wise not to pursue the largest possible output; they decided to focus their production on the highest quality possible. Many analysts believe the country emerged from underdevelopment thanks to coffee revenue. After tourism, coffee is the second-largest contributor to its economy. It’s no coincidence that coffee cultivation and foreign tourists are important to Costa Rica’s economy, since both depend directly on the country’s strict protection of nature.

Costa Rica’s perfect soil

Most coffee is grown in the center of the country. Also known as the Central Highlands, the Meseta central offers volcanic soil at an altitude of 1,000 meters, ideal for high yields. The temperate climate is also favorable to plant growth and is a decisive advantage. Coffee cultivation requires a lot of water and can lead to soil depletion. Local farmers take care with their farming methods. Obviously, preserving the land at all times is not easy. In short, producing coffee while respecting a fragile natural environment is a real daily challenge.

Costa Rica, a success with us.

We didn’t even need to try to sell our Costa Rica coffee; all we had to do was offer a tasting, and its aroma did the rest! When our shop opened, Costa Rica coffee wasn’t selling much. But tastings at the shop sent sales of this coffee soaring!

In our shop

When we opened our shop on Place Saint-Marc in Rouen, our goal was to make single-origin coffees more accessible. Many coffee lovers are disappointed when they see the price of blends made from different beans on other websites. We needed to offer something different, and above all, a range of single-origin coffees. In our first selection of coffees, we wanted a brighter, fruitier cup than our Guatemala. We chose our Costa Rica coffee for its citrus aromas. We were sure most of our customers would be looking for strong, full-bodied coffees. Costa Rica was an excellent addition to our range, but we didn’t expect it to be such a hit! We have to admit that whenever someone asks us for a fruity coffee, this is the one we recommend. That’s why customers at the shop took to it right away.

How to make a good Costa Rican coffee with a drip coffee maker:

• Use 10 grams of ground coffee per cup
• Allow 10 cl of water per cup
• Grind your beans a little coarser than espresso grind
• Tamp the grounds lightly
• Make sure the water doesn’t flow through too quickly
• Enjoy

Everywhere else

First and foremost, Costa Rican coffee enjoys an excellent reputation. So much so that a great many travel agencies offer tours that include visits to coffee farms. If you’re lucky enough to travel there, you’ll probably be offered an excursion to one of the coffee farms. Coffee experts consider Costa Rica home to some of the best beans in the world. Whatever type of coffee maker you use, you’ll be won over by its aromatic quality. Most of the grocery stores that carry our coffees have approved our Costa Rica coffee and don’t regret it…