Facts about coffee for expat retirees and others – coffee 101
Besides its many beautiful natural settings Costa Rica is also famous for producing some of the best coffee in the world.
Here are some interesting facts to educate expats about coffee.
- When did coffee start to be grown in Costa Rica? 1808
- When did it first begin to be exported? 1832
- How much is actually exported? 80 percent
- How many companies export Costa Rican coffee? 60
- What was the total value of the amount exported in 2018? $300 million
- What percentage of the coffee is grown at high altitudes? 75 percent
- How many producers/growers are there? 50 thousand
- How many tons were produced last year? 100 thousand
- How many companies roast and pack coffee? 120
- What are the 8 zones where coffee is produced? Brunca, Guanacaste, Tarrazú, Tres Ríos, Turrialba, Central Valley and the Western Central Valley
What type of coffee is produced in Costa Rica? Arabic coffee, the highest quality coffee in the world.
Why does it grow so well here? The ideal climate in the highlands, abundant water and fertile volcanic soil all combine to produce outstanding coffee.
How many crops per year? One that is harvested in December.
