Costa Rica's Answer to a Perfect Cup of Coffee!

Today’s coffee makers do much more than brew a pot of coffee. Some grind the beans, others froth the milk for fancy lattes and macchiatos and a few even brew iced coffee and add fancy flavors automatically. I even saw one the other day that was totally high-tech, with an app that controls the entire process from your smartphone! Too much technology for me to be honest with you. ALL I WANT IS A CUP OF COFFEE. .

Last year, Costa Rica produced over 94,000 TONS of coffee. Coffee has been grown in the country since the early 18th century. Since the early days, coffee has been a very important part of the Costa Rican economy. It is exported to over 79 countries, literally to all corners of the earth.

Costa Rica also has a rich culture of coffee consumption. Brewing coffee using a chorreador is one example. It's how it all started and still is used widely today! Now, it's true that many ticos have dedicated themselves to the 21st century and have purchased espresso machines and drip coffeemakers. But, especially in el campo, they still do things the simple way!

This brewing method is similar to filter coffee brewers, but it is not popular beyond the borders of Costa Rica. This is a very simple brewing device that utilizes two main parts, a chorreador stand and a bolsita (little bag). This bag is made out of fabric, usually cotton, and is held in its place with a wire or block of wood. This bag is commonly known as a 'sock'. The darker the sock, the more seasoned and flavorful it is. Rinse it out after using, but don't wash it! The chorreador stand is usually made of decorated or painted wood. However, I have also seen them made of little branches, whale bones or plastic.

Keep in mind that this is not rocket science. You can train a spider monkey to prepare your coffee using a chorreador. However, a few of my friends make it more complicated than it need be. For example, my friend, Mark, he grinds the coffee beans to a certain size and then measures out a finite amount each and every time prior to dumping it into the sock. He then measures out a certain amount of water at a SPECIFIC temperature prior to pouring. Then, being a perfectionist and a barista at heart, he has a pouring method that makes no sense to me at all. . but he swears that HIS coffee tastes better than MINE! I beg to differ. .

The chorreador creates a simple and authentic-tasting brew. Many Costa Ricans are first introduced to coffee using this device, especially if they used to live in the country! Abuela used to make it this way for her entire family!

Chorreadors can be purchased on Amazon for anywhere from $14,99 to $150.00. For the fancy, you can buy one made of African Blackwood, Ebony or Mahogany. Of course, there's a lot of teak growing in Costa Rica so that is popular as well. I made mine and it cost me $6,50 for the wood, the glue, the wire and the sock. My coffee tastes just as good as the $150.00 one!

The bottom line is that if you are looking for a reason to visit Costa Rica. . if the volcanoes, the sloths, the tropical birds, the beaches or the jungles don't turn you on, then perhaps the coffee will be the deciding factor in your coming here. And when you finally arrive, now you know a little bit more about how to prepare one of the best coffee beans in the world using the simplest method possible. . using the Costa Rican chorreador! A great big, "Pura Vida" to you!

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