About the coffee
- Cupping notes: Robust and balanced body, sweetness, and acidity; notes of brown sugar, milk chocolate, and orange
- Cultivation: shade-grown in rich, volcanic soil on coastal mountains near the Pacific, in the Tarrazú region of Costa Rica
- Altitude: 4,250-5,250 feet
- Tree type: Caturra, Catuai
- Preparation: hand-picked, fully washed, sun and mechanical drying
About the people who grow it
Top: coop member admiring coffee tree with ripe cherries (royalny);Bottom: coffee drying floor (CoopeTarrazú).
Tarrazú is a mountainous region located south of the Central Valley in Costa Rica. The majority of Costa Rican coffee comes from Tarrazú, which has a strong and well-developed coffee culture. The word Tarrazú derives from the ancient Huetar Indian tribe that once inhabited this region. A humid climate, high altitude and rich volcanic soil contribute to conditions which produce high quality coffee.
In 1960 a group of 228 small coffee producers in San Marcos de Tarrazú came together to establish CoopeTarrazú. At this time they came together with the goal of establishing equal profits and a voice for small producers, something that was previously dominated by large producers in the region. This coop has grown to become one of the most important contributors to the economic development of the Los Santos region of Tarrazú. Today the Coop assists its more than 5,000 members with technical assistance, low-cost loans, and affordable fertilizers. About 80% of their members are small producers with farms of 4 hectares or less. They employ approximately 10,000 people throughout the year, either directly in coffee production or in supporting roles, allowing Coopetarrazú to control the entire production process for their coffee from harvest through sorting, milling and exporting. This level of control allows for constant evaluation which leads to consistent quality year after year.
Here’s a promotional video showing images from the coop.
In 1960 a group of 228 small coffee producers in San Marcos de Tarrazú came together to establish CoopeTarrazú. At this time they came together with the goal of establishing equal profits and a voice for small producers, something that was previously dominated by large producers in the region. This coop has grown to become one of the most important contributors to the economic development of the Los Santos region of Tarrazú. Today the Coop assists its more than 5,000 members with technical assistance, low-cost loans, and affordable fertilizers. About 80% of their members are small producers with farms of 4 hectares or less. They employ approximately 10,000 people throughout the year, either directly in coffee production or in supporting roles, allowing Coopetarrazú to control the entire production process for their coffee from harvest through sorting, milling and exporting. This level of control allows for constant evaluation which leads to consistent quality year after year.
Here’s a promotional video showing images from the coop.