World Cup Coffee Cultures: Costa Rica
Tarrazu, the chorreador and a culture of quality
The 2026 World Cup brought the world's eyes to North America, and with them a spotlight on the coffee cultures of every nation that took part. When the tournament ended with Spain lifting the trophy after a 1-0 win over Argentina, the celebrations may have faded, but the stories carried on. Few footballing nations tell a better story than Costa Rica, a small country that has punched above its weight on the World Cup stage, delivering some of the tournament's great underdog runs.
That same spirit of doing more with less runs through the country's coffee. Costa Rica is not one of the largest producers in the world, yet it is one of the most respected. What it lacks in volume it makes up for in a reputation for clean, high quality cups that roasters and drinkers seek out by name.
A country that chose quality
Costa Rica is synonymous with clean, well structured coffee. Its most famous growing region, Tarrazu, sits at high elevation where rich volcanic soils and cool mountain air slow the ripening of the cherries. That slow maturation is part of what gives Tarrazu coffee its bright, articulate character and its layered sweetness.
The country's dedication to quality goes further than geography. In 1989 Costa Rica passed a law banning the planting of lower grade robusta, a decision that made it one of the only nations on earth to grow arabica exclusively. Where many origins blend the two species, Costa Rica committed fully to the more refined, more flavourful bean. If you want to understand what that choice means in the cup, our guide to arabica versus robusta coffee breaks down the differences in flavour, body and character.
Cafe chorreado: coffee brewed through cloth
At home, Costa Ricans have long brewed their coffee through a chorreador, a simple wooden stand that holds a cloth filter shaped like a small sock. Ground coffee goes into the cloth, hot water is poured slowly over the top, and the brew drips gently into a waiting pot or cup below. The result, known as cafe chorreado, is a clean, aromatic coffee with none of the paper taste some drinkers notice from disposable filters.
The chorreador is more than a brewing device. It is a fixture of the Costa Rican kitchen and a symbol of hospitality. A pot brewed slowly through the cloth is meant to be shared across a morning, poured for family and for guests who drop by. The ritual is unhurried and welcoming, a daily pause built around a good cup rather than a rushed one. It mirrors the same patient, quality first attitude that shapes the country's farms.
Regions and flavour
Tarrazu may be the most celebrated name, but Costa Rica is a mosaic of distinct growing zones, each shaped by its own altitude, soil and microclimate. Higher elevations tend to produce brighter, more structured cups, while the volcanic terroir lends a clarity that is hard to find elsewhere.
- High elevation: many of the best lots grow well above 1200 metres, where cool nights concentrate flavour.
- Volcanic soil: mineral rich ground gives the coffee its signature clean, articulate profile.
- Careful processing: washed and honey methods are both used with great precision.
The through line across these regions is balance. Costa Rican coffee rarely shouts. Instead it offers brightness, sweetness and structure in easy harmony, which is exactly why it is so widely prized.
Featured Coffee: Costa Rica Brisa
To taste everything this origin does well, reach for Costa Rica Brisa, a washed single origin grown in the celebrated Tarrazu region. It is refined and balanced, with bright acidity, smooth sweetness and a versatile character that carries beautifully across both filter and espresso.
Brew it slowly through a chorreador or your favourite pour over and the clarity of the cup comes forward: clean, aromatic and gently sweet. Pull it as espresso and that same balance holds, with the brightness lending lift rather than sharpness. It is an approachable coffee that rewards attention without ever demanding it.
Roasted fresh weekly in Canada, Costa Rica Brisa sits alongside the rest of our Single Origin collection, a lineup built to showcase the character of one place in every bag.
Why Costa Rica Matters to Coffee Lovers
Costa Rica matters because it proves that a nation can build its reputation on quality rather than quantity. From the arabica only law to the unhurried ritual of the chorreador, everything about Costa Rican coffee points toward care, clarity and balance. For anyone who loves a clean, bright and welcoming cup, it is one of the most rewarding origins in the world. This article is part of our World Cup Coffee Cultures series, which you can continue with our look at how Brazil drinks coffee.
Explore Single Origins
Ready to taste Costa Rica in your own kitchen? Reach for Costa Rica Brisa or browse the full Single Origin collection to explore the character of one place, one bag at a time.