Costa Rica: Sustainability and Quality. Episode 12. Coffee Cultures: A Global Journey

Introduction: Costa Rica - Sustainability and Quality
In the heart of Central America, kissed by the Pacific and the Caribbean, lies a verdant paradise - Costa Rica. It's a land that embodies the term "rich coast", not just in terms of its spectacular biodiversity but also with its deeply rooted, vibrant coffee culture. For this country, coffee is not just a popular beverage; it's a symbol of community, a testament to their commitment to quality and sustainability, and a key driver of their economy. Costa Rica has long been admired as a pioneer of ecotourism, and its approach to coffee production is no different. Each cup of Costa Rican coffee tells a story of a harmony between nature and agricultural technology, a tale of sustainability that honors the land from which it's harvested. Today, we invite you to delve into the subtropical landscapes of Costa Rica as we explore how they've transformed a simple bean into a world-renowned experience that is as kind to the palate as it is to the planet.

History of Coffee in Costa Rica:
The journey of Costa Rican coffee started in the early 19th century when the first coffee seeds were sown in the fertile Costa Rican soil. Coffee was introduced to Costa Rica from Jamaica by Spanish colonizers in the 18th century, but it was not until 1820 that the first coffee plantation was established. Recognizing the crop's potential, the Costa Rican government began incentivizing farmers to cultivate coffee, offering them free land for coffee production.

In 1825, coffee became the nation's primary crop, and by 1832, Costa Rica was exporting its first bags of coffee to countries abroad. The favorable climate, high altitudes, and volcanic soils found in various regions of Costa Rica, such as Tarrazú, West Valley, and South Pacific, proved to be ideal for coffee cultivation.

The success of the coffee industry greatly influenced Costa Rica's socio-economic development. Coffee earnings financed the construction of the country's first railroads, linking coffee-growing highlands to ports, and thereby facilitating trade. The country's first significant architecture, the National Theater, was also funded by coffee revenues. Costa Rica's coffee history is intertwined with its national identity, shaping its economic growth and molding its culture. Today, Costa Rican coffee continues to be recognized and appreciated worldwide for its high quality and unique flavors.

Unique Coffee Growing Regions:
Costa Rica's diverse landscape and varying climate conditions across the country have resulted in the development of eight unique coffee growing regions, each producing distinctively flavored coffee beans:

1. Central Valley: The birthplace of Costa Rican coffee, the Central Valley, features volcanic soil and altitudes reaching up to 1,600 meters. The coffee from this region is known for its full-bodied flavor and bright acidity.

2. West Valley: West Valley's sunny mornings and afternoon rains create the perfect conditions for coffee cultivation. The beans from this region are celebrated for their fruity, citric flavors and a hint of nuttiness.

3. Tarrazú: Often dubbed as the home of the most exceptional Costa Rican coffee, the region's high altitudes (up to 1,900 meters) and rich volcanic soil contribute to the development of a complex, bright, and full-bodied coffee.

4. Tres Ríos: This area, known as the "Bordeaux" of Costa Rica due to its ideal coffee-growing conditions, produces beans with a bright acidity, medium body, and strong aroma with notes of honey and berries.

5. Turrialba: Known for its frequent rains, the coffee from this region is well-balanced, with mild flavors and a medium body.

6. Brunca: Located in the South Pacific area of Costa Rica, coffee from Brunca is characterized by its heavy body, robustness, and rich flavors, with hints of apple and apricot.

7. Guanacaste: Coffee from this region, marked by its lower altitudes, is soft with a light body, and has a less acidic flavor profile.

8. Orosi: Known for its humid, rainy conditions, this region produces a balanced coffee with a mild flavor and aroma.

Each of these regions contributes to Costa Rica's rich coffee tapestry, offering a symphony of flavors and aromas that are truly Costa Rican.

Coffee Varieties and Characteristics:
Costa Rica has made a significant effort to diversify its coffee varieties to enhance quality and adapt to changing environmental conditions. Here are some of the most commonly grown varieties:

1. Caturra: A mutation of Bourbon coffee, Caturra is short in stature and has higher productivity. The beans produce a bright acidity and medium body.

2. Catuai: A hybrid of Mundo Novo and Caturra, Catuai is resistant to wind and rain, making it ideal for Costa Rica's climate. The coffee boasts a well-rounded flavor with bright acidity.

3. Villa Sarchi: Originating in Costa Rica, this natural mutation of Bourbon is perfect for the country's high altitudes. It produces coffee with vibrant acidity and complex flavors, often with fruity notes.

4. Bourbon: This older variety is loved for the quality of coffee it produces, with a sweet flavor and light acidity.

5. Gesha (or Geisha): Although not as widespread due to its need for very specific growing conditions and lower yield, the renowned Geisha variety is grown in parts of Costa Rica. The beans are known for their exceptional quality and complex profile, with floral, tea-like, and often jasmine-like notes.

6. SL-28: Originally from Kenya, this variety is grown on a small scale in Costa Rica and is known for its exceptional quality and distinctive flavor profile, often characterized by red fruit, berry, and winey notes.

The country's innovative approach to coffee cultivation is marked by the creation of the **Centroamericano**, a new variety that combines the disease resistance of the robusta plant with the taste of arabica. It’s part of a larger program in Costa Rica to develop new varieties that are resistant to climate change and disease but still have a flavor profile that meets specialty coffee standards.

These varieties all contribute to Costa Rica's reputation for quality coffee, each offering distinct flavors, body, and acidity. From rich and full-bodied to bright and fruity, Costa Rican coffee caters to a plethora of palates.

Sustainability in Costa Rica's Coffee Production:
Costa Rica is known as a pioneer in sustainable coffee production. This has been made possible due to the commitment of the Costa Rican government, coffee institutions, and farmers to sustainable practices that conserve the environment and promote social well-being.

Coffee and Reforestation: Coffee farms in Costa Rica often incorporate shade-grown techniques, where the coffee plants are grown under a canopy of diverse tree species, which improves soil quality, protects against erosion, and provides habitat for a rich variety of birds and insects. This method not only mimics the natural ecosystem but also improves the quality of the coffee, as the shade prolongs the ripening of the coffee cherries, leading to a sweeter bean.

Water Conservation and Management: Many Costa Rican coffee mills use water-efficient pulping machines and wastewater treatment processes to reduce water use and pollution. Some farms also recycle coffee pulp to use as compost, minimizing waste and replenishing the soil with nutrients.

Renewable Energy: The coffee sector in Costa Rica is moving towards using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and hydropower, to power coffee mills. This helps reduce the carbon footprint of coffee production.

Social Sustainability: Besides environmental sustainability, social sustainability is an integral part of Costa Rica's coffee industry. Many coffee cooperatives in Costa Rica provide technical support, fair wages, and healthcare to their members, creating a supportive community that uplifts the livelihoods of farmers.

Certifications: To support these sustainable efforts, several coffee farms and estates in Costa Rica have obtained sustainability certifications such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and Organic. These certifications ensure consumers that the coffee they purchase was grown in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible way.

Through these collective efforts, Costa Rica is not only producing some of the world's highest-quality coffee but also setting an example for sustainable, responsible farming practices that respect the environment and the people involved.

Quality Over Quantity:
The mantra of Costa Rica's coffee industry can best be summed up by the phrase, "quality over quantity." Rather than striving to produce the highest volume of coffee beans, Costa Rica has focused its attention on the cultivation of high-quality coffee that attracts discerning coffee lovers worldwide.

Strict Laws and Regulations: Costa Rica's commitment to quality is evident in its strict laws and regulations around coffee production. Since 1989, it's been illegal to plant low-quality beans in Costa Rica. Instead, only Coffea Arabica, known for its superior flavor profile compared to other varieties, is allowed to be cultivated. This focus on quality even extends to the harvesting process, where coffee cherries are often picked by hand to ensure only the ripest, highest-quality cherries are chosen.

Micro-Mills and Micro-Lots: Over the past two decades, Costa Rica has seen a rise in micro-mills – small-scale, often family-owned operations that process their coffee. This development allows farmers to have control over the entire coffee production process, from growing and harvesting to processing and drying. It has also led to the concept of "micro-lots" – small batches of coffee that have been meticulously sorted and processed separately to maintain their unique characteristics. These practices have resulted in exceptional coffees with distinct flavors that are traceable back to individual farms.

Innovative Processing Methods: Costa Rica has also become a playground for experimenting with different processing methods. Whether it's honey processed (where some of the fruit's mucilage is left on the beans during drying) or anaerobic fermentation (where coffee cherries are fermented in sealed tanks), these innovative methods often yield unique flavor profiles, further enhancing the country's reputation for high-quality, specialty coffee.

Coffee Cupping and Competitions: To showcase the quality of Costa Rican coffee, several coffee cupping events and competitions are held annually, where local and international judges taste and score coffees. Winning these competitions not only boosts a farm's reputation but also often enables them to demand higher prices for their coffee.

By prioritizing quality over quantity, Costa Rica has successfully carved a niche for itself in the global specialty coffee scene. The care, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence displayed by Costa Rican coffee farmers and processors result in remarkable coffees that coffee connoisseurs across the globe cherish.

Costa Rican Coffee Culture:
Coffee is more than just a drink in Costa Rica; it's a lifestyle and a vital component of the nation's culture. Coffee, or 'café' as locals call it, has shaped the country’s social and economic fabric and even its landscape, with lush coffee plantations covering large parts of the highlands.

A Day with Coffee: In Costa Rica, the day starts and ends with coffee. Breakfast typically includes a cup of strong, freshly brewed coffee, often accompanied by 'Gallo Pinto', a traditional Costa Rican dish. Throughout the day, coffee serves as a social lubricant, shared with friends, family, or colleagues during breaks and casual get-togethers. Evenings often see families gather for a casual and comforting cup, continuing the day's coffee-fueled rhythm.

Chorreador - Traditional Brewing Method: Traditional brewing methods still hold sway in many Costa Rican households. The most iconic of these is the ‘Chorreador,' a simple but effective coffee-making device. It consists of a wooden stand that holds a cloth bag (the 'coffee sock') where ground coffee is placed. Hot water is then poured over the coffee, which drips through the cloth bag into a coffee pot or directly into the cup. This method allows for the full extraction of flavors, resulting in a rich and full-bodied brew.

Coffee Tours: Given the importance of coffee to Costa Rica, it’s no surprise that coffee tours are a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. These tours offer a direct insight into the coffee-making process, from bean to cup. They often include visits to coffee plantations, roasting facilities, and tastings. For many visitors, these tours provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intricate processes involved in producing the quality coffee Costa Rica is known for.

Festivals and Celebrations: Costa Rica also hosts several coffee-related festivals and celebrations throughout the year. The National Coffee Day, celebrated on September 12th, is an important event where the country honors its coffee heritage with various activities, including traditional music and dance, coffee tasting, and recognizing the contributions of coffee workers.

The coffee culture in Costa Rica is steeped in tradition and pride. From the country's unique brewing methods to its social customs and celebrations, coffee continues to be a beloved element of the Costa Rican way of life.

Conclusion
In this episode, we've explored how Costa Rica has become synonymous with high-quality, sustainable coffee production. Their devotion to quality over quantity and deep commitment to sustainable practices has resulted in some of the world's finest coffee beans. It's clear that Costa Rican coffee is more than a morning pick-me-up—it's an integral part of the national identity, steeped in rich tradition and cultural significance.

As we conclude our visit to the beautiful coffee plantations of Costa Rica, we prepare to embark on a new adventure in our next episode. We're heading to Japan, a country known for its meticulous attention to detail and deep-rooted cultural traditions, which extend to its unique approach to coffee. From modern, stylish coffee shops in Tokyo to traditional kissaten (coffee houses) and innovative brewing methods, Japan's coffee culture is as vibrant and diverse as it is fascinating. So, fasten your seat belts and join us on our next journey as we dive into "Episode 13 - Japan: The Harmony of Tradition and Innovation". Stay tuned!