Costa Rican top coffee now internationally protected

By IDeas trademarks & patents

The Tarrazú coffee from Costa Rica, considered one of the best coffees in the world, is now officially protected as an appellation of origin in 180 countries.

“This represents that the logo and name of Café Tarrazú is internationally protected. It gives the producers assurance about the value of their brand,” said Roque Mata, president of the Regulatory Council of the Appellation of Origin of Tarrazú, after receiving the certification from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Located to the southeast of the capital, San José, Tarrazú grows small-grain Arabica coffee, of a bluish color and good appearance. Lands produce approximately 650,000 quintals from around 22,000 hectares, formed by small farms of an average size of 2.5 hectares. Coffee is sold 95% as Strictly Hard Bean (SHB).

Coffee production is located in ideal growing conditions, in soils mostly of sedimentary origin, which are acidic due to their components. Most of these plantations are under the shade of different trees in the area.

The fruit is collected and processed in the summer under conditions of high temperatures during the day and low temperatures in the early morning. This, added to a complete ripening, allows the sugars to concentrate in the bean, resulting in fine cups with a diversity of flavors, such as chocolate, orange, vanilla, and dehydrated fruits. Aromas range from sweet cane and bee honey to delicate florals, such as jasmine. All these in a beverage with a pleasant long-lasting aftertaste, a product of medium to medium-dark roasts.

Registration of geographical indications and appellations of origin in Costa Rica began years ago with the promulgation of the Trademarks and Other Distinctive Signs Law No 7978, driven by the importance that involves the recognition of the prestige that embraces certain goods specifically attributed to a provenance or geographical origin.