Washed Caturra & Catuai Coffee from Costa Rica Tarrazú

If you’re looking for a bright, clean cup with distinct acidity and a crisp finish, washed Costa Rican coffees from high-altitude regions like Tarrazú are often the answer. But what makes a Tarrazú coffee stand out? It’s not just the altitude—it’s the full growing environment and processing method that shape the cup profile.

This particular lot is a washed coffee grown between 1200 and 2000 metres above sea level in Costa Rica’s Tarrazú region, using a mix of Caturra and Catuai varieties, and processed at the long-established Beneficio Palmichal. That combination delivers a classic high-altitude washed profile with vibrant acidity and clarity.

Where Tarrazú Coffee Comes From

Tarrazú is one of the most famous coffee-growing regions in the world, often referred to as the 'Area of Saints' due to its high elevation and stunning natural beauty. Located in Costa Rica’s fertile volcanic belt, the area benefits from year-round rainfall, rich volcanic soils, dense forest shade, and altitudes ranging from 1200 to 2000 metres. These conditions create an ideal microclimate for growing high-quality coffee with complex flavour potential.

How the Coffee Is Processed

This coffee is processed using the washed method at Beneficio Palmichal, a processing facility that has been operating since 1950. The washed (or wet) process involves removing the coffee cherry’s skin and pulp, fermenting to remove the sticky mucilage, washing thoroughly, and then drying the beans. This method tends to produce coffees with higher acidity, a cleaner cup, and more pronounced aromatic qualities, as it reduces the fruit sugars while enhancing organic acids. The result is a coffee that highlights the bean’s inherent aromas with a bright, crisp profile.

The Role of the Processing Plant

Beneficio Palmichal, operated under the larger Ceca organisation, has been buying coffee cherries directly from local smallholder farmers since the 1950s. Over the decades, it has built a reputation as an internationally recognised processing facility. By handling the processing in-house, the mill ensures consistency and quality control, which is critical for maintaining the distinctive characteristics of Tarrazú coffees on the global market.

Why Altitude Matters in Coffee Flavor

Altitude plays a crucial role in coffee flavour development. At 1200–2000 metres, coffee plants grow more slowly, allowing cherries to develop more complex sugars and acids. The cooler temperatures at higher elevations slow down ripening, leading to denser beans with a greater potential for sweetness, acidity, and aroma. That’s why Tarrazú’s high-altitude environment is ideal for producing coffees with a bright, lively cup profile and a structured body.

Frequently Asked Questions

What coffee varieties are in this Tarrazú lot?

This coffee is a blend of Caturra and Catuai varieties, both well-suited to high-altitude growing conditions and known for producing bright, balanced cups with good acidity and body.

Where is Tarrazú located in Costa Rica?

Tarrazú is a renowned coffee-growing region in Costa Rica, part of the country’s central highlands. It is known for its volcanic soils, high altitudes (1200–2000m), and consistent production of high-quality washed coffees.

What is the washed coffee process?

The washed process involves removing the coffee cherry’s skin and pulp, fermenting to dissolve the mucilage, washing the beans, and then drying them. This method results in a clean, bright cup with pronounced acidity and clarity.

What is Beneficio Palmichal?

Beneficio Palmichal is a coffee processing facility that has operated since 1950 under the Ceca organisation. It specialises in processing coffee cherries from local smallholder farmers in Tarrazú and is known for consistent, high-quality output.

Why does altitude affect coffee flavor?

Higher altitudes slow coffee cherry ripening due to cooler temperatures, leading to denser beans with more complex sugars, acids, and aromas. This typically results in a brighter, more acidic, and nuanced cup profile.

Recommended FrontStreet Washed Coffee Beans

For fans of bright, clean washed coffees like this Tarrazú lot, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Kenya Little Tomato—a celebrated washed Kenyan offering intense acidity with notes of Saint Tom tomato, blackcurrant, and citrus. Also consider the Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1, a classic washed coffee with refined balance, showcasing notes of nuts, chocolate, and tropical fruit. Both share the crisp clarity and vibrant profiles typical of high-quality washed processes. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.