This post contains affiliate links that I may earn a small commission on at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I have used myself and enjoy.
I’ve been waiting a while to talk about Costa Rican coffee. How can I explain such a broad topic in just one post? Well, the truth is I can’t.
So there will be more posts.
But we’ve got to start somewhere.
What makes Costa Rican coffee so gosh-darned good?
Coffee Growing in Costa Rica
First, a disclaimer: I’m not an expert on the growing techniques of coffee. I’m not qualified to discuss the types of soil and the adequate amounts of sun and shade that coffee needs to be perfect. My opinion comes from years of drinking coffee, mostly Costa Rican.
What I can tell you is that Costa Rica’s Central Valley is one of the most hospitable areas ever for coffee growing. Its high mountains, rich volcanic soil and cooler temperatures are the perfect storm for one of the best coffees on Earth. The climate makes for green, lush cafetales all over the province of Cartago, and throughout the country.
Tarrazú, which is somewhat close to Cartago (but actually belongs to the province of San José) is home to one of the best coffees in the world.
Brewing Coffee in Costa Rica
The first brewing mechanism I ever saw in Costa Rica in 1984 was called a chorreador de café. It’s basically a wire frame attached to a piece of wood with a loop on the top. A cloth bag sits in the loop and you fill it with coffee. Hot water is then poured into the bag where it turns to coffee and runs into the pot set up below.
Back then, I had never seen such a contraption.
And I never imagined that the coffee made in it would be so good.
Of course, most households now use regular coffee makers, but luckily, the chorreador is still alive and well. Many restaurants in Costa Rica will serve their coffee in tiny versions of the chorreador much to the delight of their patrons. I get to enjoy this when I go to the Tortilleria in Cartago and many other restaurants serving national dishes.
In the States, Keurigs are really popular. Hell, I’ve had one at home for the past ten years or more. I have never seen a Keurig in Costa Rica. And I’m okay with that. Recently, Volio has put out a line of really cool coffee makers that take capsules and pods of various sizes. I can’t wait to try one!
The chorreador, however, uses no filters, no pods, no k-cups; there’s no waste as the cloth bag is reusable. Even coffee-making in Costa Rica is environmentally friendly.
Buying Coffee in Costa Rica
If you buy one thing to take home with you, make sure you buy coffee. It’s inexpensive, it’s easy to pack and it’s delicious! Just make sure you don’t pack it in your carry-on unless you buy in after you go through security.
You can find coffee almost anywhere: the supermarket, Costa Rica’s Walmart, the marketplace and your most expensive option, the airport.
There are TONS of brands of coffee in Costa Rica. If you’re a regular traveler to Costa Rica, you’re aware of Costa Rica’s biggest export brand Britt. Britt is a well-known coffee and the only brand of Costa Rican coffee I’ve been able to find in decaf.
Decaf coffee is very hard to find in Costa Rica. Britt carries it in the dark blue bag. If you can’t find it in a supermarket, you may be able to find it in Britt’s huge airport store before you depart Costa Rica. You’ll find a ton of different roasts and variations at the Britt Store.
I, however, have a few other brands that I head for first. Coffee is a very personal taste, so shop around, smell the aromas of different brands and see what tickles your fancy. It’s pretty hard to make a bad choice when shopping for coffee in Costa Rica. Here’s a few of my favorite brands:
Café Volio is probably my favorite. When I was living with my AFS family in 1984, they would combine Volio with Café Rey. A perfect blend. Rey is probably one of the most famous brands of coffee in Costa Rica. It’s also one of the cheapest. It comes in regular drip and a percolator blend. I find Rey to have a powdery consistency and may leave some residue. I occasionally mix it with Volio, but mostly enjoy Volio as a stand-alone coffee.
Another very popular brand is Café 1820 which is so aromatic and delicious.
The last time I was in Costa Rica, friends recommended a brand I’d never tried called “Sánchez”. It was absolutely as good as they told me it would be. And the Bohio Café brand? This was a gift to me. It’s from Tarrazú and the smell of this blend alone is enough to knock your socks off. Unbelievably good. This dark roast wasn’t overpowering at all.
Flavored coffee in Costa Rica is not as popular as it is here in the States. However, Britt has put out a brand called Leyenda with several flavors like vanilla and Irish cream. I picked up the latter and wasn’t disappointed.
Why is Costa Rican Coffee So Addicting?
I have a few ideas about this. In Costa Rica, it seems like I must have at least three cups at breakfast time. I just can’t seem to get enough of the stuff. Why?
Well, if the coffee is made in a chorreador it seems to taste even better. I don’t know if it’s because it doesn’t pass through a machine or a percolator or what. It’s just better! You can purchase one of several chorreadores de café here and give it a try!
Second, I have a theory about the sugar. Instead of the white processed stuff, I use Costa Rica’s regular sugar (which we classify as organic, or Florida Crystals here in the States). It has a maple-like flavor, and in my opinion, enhances the flavor of the coffee.
Could there be something about the water that makes the coffee taste so good? Like how the water in NYC makes bagels and pizza taste better? Hmmm.
Costa Rican coffee is also full-bodied, but not overpowering. I’m not a fan of dark, inky coffee, or bold French roasts. Costa Rican coffee is just the right strength. If you’re a fan of medium, well-rounded flavors, you’ll love Costa Rican coffee.
Coffee Shops in Cartago
While you’re in Costa Rica, take advantage of having some delicious coffee beverages at a local café. And no, I don’t mean Starbucks. Yes, Starbucks exists in Costa Rica in case you were wondering, but take advantage of some of the local businesses.
In Cartago, I loved Taller Gastronomico Irie, but it has since closed. El Nido also has fantastic cappuccino as well as cafes such as Encantos, Momentos and Arte Pan on Boulevard El Molino.
Stay tuned for more coffee tips as we discover more brands and more cafes to enjoy them at.
Do you have a favorite Costa Rican coffee brand? Share it with me in the comments below.