COSTA RICA Tarrazu La Pastora
Description
Processing: Washed; SCA Score: 84 points
FARM: La Pastora
"La Pastora" Costa Rica SHB Tarrazú coffee is ranked among the best in the world. This coffee is grown at high altitudes, above 1,200 meters, allowing it to be classified as "Single Hard Bean". The soil is largely volcanic, giving the coffee high acidity.
The Tarrazú region is one of the most productive coffee-growing areas in Costa Rica. Coffee from Tarrazú is recognized for its clear and clean flavors. Production ranges from large commercial associations to small family-run microlots.
Costa Rica has eight coffee-growing regions, the most famous of which is Tarrazú.
Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Central Cordillera mountain range to the east, Tarrazú is a region of lush vegetation and breathtaking landscapes. Most importantly, it is an ideal location for cultivating Arabica coffee.
The high altitudes and sedimentary soil composition favor the delicate acidity for which these coffees are renowned, while the nearby Pirrís River supplies the region with fresh water.
Established long ago in this region, the CoopeTarrazú cooperative was founded in 1960. Before its creation, there were no wet mills nearby where farmers could process their coffee, so it was mostly sold through intermediaries. Additionally, farmers had limited knowledge of coffee production, leading to low yields despite their hard work.
Today, CoopeTarrazú is the largest cooperative in the region, with over 5,000 members delivering their coffee cherries to a communal wet mill. As part of their strategy, they aim to increase productivity through training programs and farm engineering visits.
Beyond producing high-quality coffee, its members are dedicated to the social development of local communities and environmental protection through sustainable practices. Their initiatives include recycling programs, the use of renewable energy, and water consumption reduction.
Thanks to its favorable soil and climate conditions, the Tarrazú region is famous for producing some of the best coffees in the world. The high altitudes and subsequently cold nighttime temperatures allow the coffee cherries to mature more slowly, resulting in dense beans that qualify as Strictly Hard Beans (SHB).
Coffees from Tarrazú have already won multiple international barista and cupping competitions.