Introduction:The 2024 Costa Rica Cup of Excellence (COE) Washed Category champion was won by Santa Teresa Estate in the Tarrazú region with a score of 92.04. How does this high-altitude estate, situated at elevations between 1900 and 2050 meters, create a coffee that earned unanimous international praise through refined washed processing and sustainable management? This article delves into its varietal selection, geographical advantages, and its evolution from 8th place in 2022 to champion, along with tasting notes for light to medium roast pour over brewing.
In Costa Rica, a country hailed as the “coffee leader of Central America,” the 2024 COE Washed Category crown was claimed by Santa Teresa Estate with an impressive score of 92.04. Located in the Tarrazú region, this estate sits at high altitudes ranging from 1900 to 2050 meters in the Central Mountain Range. It cultivates premium coffee varieties such as Geisha, Sudan Rume, and Pacamara, and has long been committed to the Blue Flag environmental certification program, demonstrating its dual dedication to quality and sustainability.
Costa Rica, a country situated in the Central American isthmus, is not only known as the “rich coast” but also, due to its unique geographical environment shaped by the interaction between ocean and land, has become one of the world’s major coffee-exporting nations. Approximately 30% of the country’s land is designated as national parks and nature reserves, with a forest coverage rate of 52.38%. Coupled with fertile volcanic ash soil from over 200 volcanoes, along with a mild climate and abundant rainfall, these conditions create an ideal environment for coffee cultivation.
The country is divided into seven major coffee-growing regions, all concentrated around the Central Mountain Range. Among them, the Los Santos region is widely known for the fame of the town of Tarrazú. Influenced by the warm, humid air currents from the Pacific Ocean, the area receives up to 2400 mm of annual rainfall, with an average temperature of about 19°C. Coffee trees are primarily planted at elevations between 1500 and 2100 meters—conditions that are perfect for producing high-quality washed coffee. In 2019, the Costa Rican government officially registered the geographical indication “Café de Tarrazú” with the European Union and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to protect the uniqueness and market value of this region.
The soul of Santa Teresa Estate is its current owner, ROGER UREÑA HIDALGO, who comes from a family with a long history in coffee cultivation. Growing up immersed in the trade, he accumulated solid farming experience. After working in the United States for a period, he returned home to expand the family coffee farm and built a dedicated coffee processing facility. Today, his son, Alex Ureña, manages the estate. The estate first participated in the COE competition in 2022, ranking 8th, climbed to 9th in 2023, and finally claimed the championship in 2024 with outstanding performance in washed processing.
The diverse varietals planted at Santa Teresa Estate are one of the keys to its standout success. In addition to the award-winning washed coffee, varieties like Geisha and Pacamara, when roasted lightly to medium, often exhibit bright citrus notes, delicate floral aromas, and a soft honey-like sweetness. These profiles are particularly well-suited for pour over brewing, allowing the layers and terroir characteristics of the coffee to shine through. For coffee enthusiasts who enjoy exploring nuanced flavors, these varietals are must-try options.
Notably, Santa Teresa Estate has been a long-term participant in the Blue Flag Costa Rica certification program, which focuses on waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency improvement, and environmental education, conducting rigorous evaluations of participating communities, schools, and businesses. This not only reflects the estate’s commitment to environmental sustainability but also serves as a crucial foundation for its repeated successes in international evaluations. From planting and harvesting to post-harvest processing, every step demonstrates a dual focus on quality and ecology.
In summary, the success of Santa Teresa Estate stems not only from its exceptional geographical conditions and carefully selected varietals but also from its commitment to sustainable management and continuously refined processing techniques. The journey from 8th place in the 2022 COE to the 2024 Washed Category champion showcases a perfect embodiment of the estate’s passion and expertise for coffee.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
