Costa Rica

Coffee 101

Coffee 101 trips are open to any student of coffee who is curious, committed, and learns by doing. Brand-new baristas and seasoned roasters alike come away from these weeks with new information, insight, and context for coffee production, as we see and taste the entire coffee production process. We encourage attendees to ask questions, take notes, and engage in conversations about any and all areas of coffee production.

Cafe Imports + Costa Rica

Since Cafe Imports bought its first container of Costa Rican microlots at the end of the 2006/2007 harvest, the country has become a model for our buying relationships around the world. In Costa Rica, producers separate top lots from more standard coffees, they sell the lots at corresponding prices, and thereby gain individual recognition for their work and quality. This approach has caused ripple effects around the country. Every year, more producers express an interest in improving the picking, sorting, and processing in hopes of earning better prices and achieving greater market visibility. We have a core set of micro-producers and cooperative partners whose coffees are the standard-bearers for our Costa Rica offerings, but we are always meeting new producers, creating connections that result in some of the most exciting, innovative, and delicious coffees that the country has to offer.

Costa Rica contributes less than 1% of the world’s coffee production, yet it has a strong reputation for producing good to mild quality. One way that Costa Rica has hoped to differentiate itself among coffee-growing nations is through the diversity of profiles in its growing regions, despite the country’s relatively small geographical size. Tarrazú might be the most famous of the regions. Its high altitudes contribute to its coffee’s crisp acidity. The West Valley has a high percentage of Cup of Excellence winners, and grows an abundance of both the Costa Rica–specific varieties Villa Sarchi and Villa Lobos, as well as some of the more “experimental” varieties like SL-28 and Gesha. Tres Ríos coffee has a smooth, milder profile—perhaps more “easy drinking” with toffee sweetness and soft citrus than the more complex or dynamic Costas available. Central Valley has some of the most distinct weather patterns in the country, with well-defined wet and dry seasons. We have found some of the best natural processed coffees in this region.

Trip Details

ITINERARY

Attendees are responsible for booking all flights and their hotel stay in San Jose.

More info coming soon.

BOOKING AND EXPENSES

Trip attendees are responsible for the following:

Booking/cost of international flights to and from San Jose (Juan Santamaria SJO Airport)

Cafe Imports will cover group meals and ground transport. Individuals may arrange private meals or transportation for themselves at their own expense. Reach out to us if you have any questions about the booking details.

I'M INTERESTED

Please fill out the form below if you’re interested in attending this trip. A Cafe Imports team member will email you soon to provide more information, answer any questions, and confirm details.

Resource Trip Interest / RSVP

While the focus of these trips is not on sourcing, attendees will have the opportunity to cup and potentially forward-contract lots based on tastings and conversations conducted during the time in-country.

Cafe Imports Staff

Bea Macias

Sourcing Liaison

Luis Arocha

Senior Green-Coffee Buyer

Resource Mission:
To partner with our roaster clients to share experience and knowledge at the ground level, and to build and nurture relationships in coffee-growing regions worldwide in an effort to advance the craft of specialty coffee, from the farm all the way to the café.