Costa Rica is internationally known for its coffee, a product that has shaped the history and development of Costa Rica. Coffee is not native to Costa Rica, it first arrived in the late 18th century. In just 50 years, coffee became the main agricultural export (though bananas had not yet arrived). The government, then run under benevolent dictator Braulio Carrillo, heavily promoted coffee growing. Free land grants were given to farmers who promised to grow coffee and landowners were given 25 free coffee plants to begin cultivation.National Theater

The arrival of coffee barons shifted the social structure of Costa Rica. Coffee barons gained a high status with increasing political powers. A period of instability ensued, where coffee barons (and their military backups) vied for government control. Eventually, General Tomás Guardia overthrew the government in 1870 and ruled for 12 years. The new regime profited both the Costa Rican people (Guardia's legacies include making primary education free) and the coffee barons, since a stable government was beneficial for the economy. A railroad was created from the Central Valley (where most coffee was farmed) to the Caribbean coast (the ports to export coffee). Coffee production flourished, and the money was used to finance roads, buildings, the postal service, the first university, and even the famous National Theatre.

The Costa Rican government has taken an active role to ensure that Costa Rican coffee remains at a high quality- in the early 20th century a law was passed only allowing Costa Rican farmers to grown Arabica beans- the higher quality, gourmet bean. Arabica beans have a less bitter, more complex taste, with less caffeine. They take longer to grow and must be handpicked, which causes the increased price.

Coffee has even permeated the Costa Rican calendar. The tax year (from Sept-Oct) is based on the coffee harvest and even the school year, at one point, revolved around coffee. Almost all Ticos drink coffee, and per capita consumption of coffee is the highest of all coffee-producing countries in the world.

Today, while drinking coffee is still a daily part of life for most Ticos, coffee does not control the economy. Agricultural exports have ceased to be the most important industry, now tourism and electronics bring in the most money to Costa Rica. Many coffee plantations around the Central Valley (the San Jose metropolitan area) are disappearing, due to urban sprawl and rising real estate prices. Coffee plantations now depend on seasonal workers, usually from Nicaragua, who work for a low wage and oftentimes in poor conditions.

Read the next article to learn how to brew coffee the traditional way, with a chorreador.