COSTA RICA Santa María

A pioneer in the introduction of coffee in the late 18th century, Costa Rica became the first Central American country with an established coffee industry . In the 1820s, coffee established itself as an agricultural export of great economic importance. The creation of the ICAFE association (Costa Rica Coffee Institute) in 1933 marked a crucial milestone, aimed at promoting the agricultural and commercial development of Costa Rican coffee.

ICAFAE, funded by a 1.5% export tax on all Costa Rican coffee, plays an essential role in ensuring that farmers receive 80% of the FOB price ("free on board", the point at which ownership and price are transferred from the farmer/seller to the buyer). Costa Rica has built a solid reputation for its high-quality, mild coffees. Diversity in processing methods, and therefore flavor profiles, has distinguished Costa Rica among other coffee-growing nations.

Nestled between mountain ranges on the Pacific slope, the Tarrazú region , a bird and forest sanctuary, is renowned for producing some of the best coffees. Representing almost 35% of the total coffee production in Costa Rica, Tarrazú stands out for altitudes of 1,200 to 1,900 meters that generate exceptionally complex coffee profiles.

Luís Anastasio Castro , known as Tacho, has been a pioneer in the micro-profit model, serving as an example for other producers in Costa Rica. His Juanachute farm in the Los Santos region, with a plot in Santa María de Dota , grows coffee using the Red Honey process . This method involves manually picking cherries at their optimal ripeness, followed by a 48-hour fermentation before pulping them with water. The beans, dried on elevated stretchers for 25 days with the mucilage attached, result in a coffee with unique characteristics, an authentic expression of the Castro family's dedication and innovation in producing high-quality coffee. Additionally, the family is not only committed to coffee quality, but also contributes to local development through educational initiatives, such as the barista education program at the local high school. This coffee is more than a drink; is a narrative that extends from Costa Rica's rich coffee history to contemporary efforts to preserve and improve the quality of this prized bean.