Costa Rica Santa Elena: Coffee Profile and Tasting Notes
Costa Rica Santa Elena is a medium roast with bright citrus notes and a smooth, buttery finish. Sourced from the Tarrazú highlands, it is a single estate coffee built for sweetness, balance, and everyday brewing.
What Does Costa Rica Santa Elena Taste Like?
Expect a refreshing citrus lift up front, a gentle sweetness through the middle, and a velvety, buttery finish that stays clean and elegant.
Why Customers Love This Medium Roast
Costa Rica Santa Elena is a favorite because it delivers clear flavor without being sharp and a smooth finish without tasting heavy. If you enjoy coffees that feel bright, sweet, and balanced, this profile is a reliable go to for drip, pour over, and French press.
- Bright and clean: citrus notes that stay crisp, not sour
- Comforting finish: a buttery, velvety texture that feels round
- Easy to brew: forgiving across common home brew methods
Where The Beans Come From
These beans come from Costa Rica’s renowned Tarrazú region in the highlands, sourced from the single estate of Santa Elena. Harvest typically runs from November through February, helping ensure cherries are picked at peak ripeness.
How Santa Elena Is Processed
Great flavor starts with careful picking and sorting. After harvest, the coffee is handpicked and quality sorted, then processed using a washed method and a pulped natural honey style approach, followed by sun drying on patios.
After drying, the coffee is stored in parchment for at least 30 days before milling and shipping. This extra rest helps stabilize moisture and supports a cleaner, more consistent cup.
Why Tarrazú Coffees Stand Out
Tarrazú is known for high elevation growing and dense beans that often brew with clarity and sweetness. Santa Elena is exported as Strictly Hard Bean (SHB), a designation tied to higher altitude cultivation that can contribute to density and cup quality.
Genetic varieties commonly associated with this lot include Caturra and Typica, which can help explain the coffee’s gentle sweetness and refined structure.
Pairings That Make This Coffee Shine
This medium roast pairs beautifully with meals and desserts that let its citrus and buttery notes pop. Try it with a salmon dinner for a savory contrast, or pair it with something sweet for a cozy finish.
- With food: salmon, brunch plates, or simple buttered pastries
- With sweets: beignets, caramel treats, or cookie waffles
Want an easy pairing? Explore our Sweet Treats Collection to build a coffee plus dessert moment at home.
How To Brew Costa Rica Santa Elena At Home
Use these starting points, then adjust by taste:
- Pour Over: medium fine grind, 1:16 ratio, controlled pulses for clarity
- Drip: medium grind, 1:15 to 1:17 ratio depending on strength preference
- French Press: medium coarse grind, 1:15 to 1:17 ratio, 4 minute steep
For the biggest upgrade in flavor, use a burr grinder. Browse our Coffee Gear Collection to find grinders, scales, kettles, and brewers that make results more repeatable.
Shop Costa Rica Profiles And Other Favorites
If you want more coffees with a clean structure and a sweet finish, explore our curated lineup. Start with Coffee, or choose a proven crowd pleaser in Best Sellers. If you love variety, try Roaster’s Choice Coffee for rotating limited releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Costa Rica Santa Elena Taste Like?
It is a medium roast with bright citrus notes up front and a smooth, buttery finish. The profile is sweet, clean, and balanced.
Is Costa Rica Santa Elena A Light Or Dark Roast?
Costa Rica Santa Elena is a medium roast designed for clarity, sweetness, and an easy drinking finish.
Where Is Santa Elena Coffee Grown?
It comes from Costa Rica’s Tarrazú highlands and is sourced from the single estate of Santa Elena.
When Is The Harvest Season For This Coffee?
The harvest is typically between November and February, which helps ensure cherries are picked at peak ripeness.
What Processing Methods Are Used For Santa Elena?
The coffee is carefully sorted and processed using washed and pulped natural honey style steps, then sun dried on patios. It is also rested in parchment before milling and shipping.
What Does SHB Mean In Coffee?
SHB stands for Strictly Hard Bean, a designation often associated with higher altitude cultivation and denser beans.
What Brew Method Works Best For This Coffee?
Pour over highlights citrus clarity, drip is an easy daily option, and French press brings out a rounder texture. Use a burr grinder for the most consistent results.
What Foods Pair Well With Costa Rica Santa Elena?
It pairs well with salmon dinners and sweet treats like beignets or cookie waffles. The citrus lift and buttery finish complement both savory and dessert pairings.
Where Can I Shop Rock Creek Coffee Collections?
You can shop Coffee, Coffee Gear, Sweet Treats, Best Sellers, Roaster’s Choice Coffee, and more directly on Rock Creek Coffee Roasters online store using the collection links above.
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