May 09, 2026 · Last updated July 24, 2026

Costa Rica Tarrazu Single-Origin Coffee: A Washed-Process Lot With Citrus and Honey Notes

by Marc Narrie

We are releasing a new single-origin coffee on Tuesday May 12 at 9 AM Pacific. It is a washed-process Costa Rica from a direct-trade farm partner in the Tarrazu growing region, and it is the cleanest, brightest cup we have put on the menu in two years. This article covers what the coffee tastes like, what makes Tarrazu different from our other Latin American origins, and how the two versions we are releasing (ZenFusion CBD-infused and non-infused single-origin) compare.

What is Tarrazu, and why does it matter

Tarrazu is a coffee-growing region in the Los Santos Valley of central Costa Rica, southeast of San Jose. The region sits at elevations between roughly 1,200 and 1,900 meters above sea level. Higher altitude in coffee usually correlates with denser beans, slower cherry maturation, and brighter cup characteristics, so Tarrazu has earned a reputation among specialty roasters for producing some of Latin America's most consistent specialty-grade arabica.

The region's climate combines heavy rainfall during the green-cherry phase with a defined dry season for harvest, which gives farms a clean window for picking and processing. Soils are volcanic, mineral-rich, and slightly acidic. The combination produces a cup that tends to lean clean and citric rather than heavy and chocolaty, which differentiates it from our Colombia or Burundi.

Washed process, in plain language

Coffee cherries can be processed three main ways: natural (dried whole), honey (partially de-pulped, dried with mucilage still attached), or washed (de-pulped, fermented in water, washed clean). Each method shapes the cup.

Natural process tends to produce fruit-forward, sweet, sometimes wine-like cups. Our Burundi is a natural.
Honey process produces a balanced cup with body and clarity, somewhere between natural and washed.
Washed process produces the cleanest, most transparent cup. The bean's intrinsic character comes through with less interference from the cherry's sugars and mucilage.

Our Costa Rica is a fully washed lot. The cleanness is the entire point. You can taste the bean, the soil, the elevation, and the variety with very little processing flavor in the way.

What this Costa Rica tastes like

Notes from the cup:

Aroma: bright, floral, soft citrus zest
First sip: orange peel and honey, with a clean acidity that does not turn sour
Body: medium, smooth, not heavy
Finish: long, sweet, lingering caramelized sugar

If you have been drinking our Colombia and want a step toward a brighter cup without going as bright as our Ethiopia Kochere, this Costa Rica is the natural middle. It pairs well with milk but does not need it. It cold-brews beautifully if you steep it on the lighter side (1:9 ratio for 16 hours).

Two versions, same green coffee

We are releasing this lot in two product configurations:

Version	What's in the bag	Best for
Costa Rica ZenFusion CBD	Same green coffee, infused with broad-spectrum CBD using our ZenFusion process. 300mg CBD per 12oz bag, around 12.5mg per 8oz cup.	Customers already drinking Buddha Beans CBD coffee who want a lighter, brighter origin.
Costa Rica Single-Origin (non-infused)	Same green coffee, no cannabinoid. Pure specialty coffee.	Customers who want the bean quality without CBD, or who already have their CBD source dialed and want straight specialty.

The two versions are the same coffee until the infusion step. Same farm, same lot, same roast curve. The only difference is whether broad-spectrum CBD is bonded into the bean during roasting.

Why we are launching a non-infused version

Most of you came to Buddha Beans because of the CBD-infused line, and that line is still our flagship. But we have been hearing a consistent request from two customer groups: people who already use a CBD tincture and want pure specialty coffee separate from their cannabinoid routine, and people who want to share a bag with a partner or family member who is not a CBD drinker. The non-infused version answers both.

It is also our first move into a longer strategic shift. We have always been a roastery first. The cannabinoid is what we add to coffee that already has to be good. Releasing a non-infused single-origin alongside the CBD version makes that explicit.

Brewing recommendations

Pour-over (V60 or Chemex)

1:16 ratio, 205°F water, 3 minute brew. This is where the cup shines: the citrus and honey notes pop, the body stays clean, the finish carries.

French press

1:15 ratio, 200°F water, 4 minute steep. Heavier mouthfeel, slightly muted brightness, fuller body. Works well if you want a more cozy version of the cup.

Drip machine

2 tablespoons per 6oz cup. Use a paper filter, ideally a flat-bottom basket. This origin handles drip brewing better than most washed coffees because of its natural sweetness.

Cold brew

1:9 ratio (less concentrated than the standard 1:8 we use for darker origins), 16 hour steep at room temperature. The lighter ratio preserves the citrus and floral notes that get muddy at higher concentrations.

Espresso

This Costa Rica works as espresso but it is not a traditional espresso roast. The shot will pull bright and citric, not dark and chocolaty. If you like a Nordic-style espresso, you will love it. If you like a classic Italian shot, stick with our espresso blend (launching in early June).

Launch day details

The drop goes live on Tuesday May 12 at 9 AM Pacific. Both versions ship in 12oz and 2oz formats, whole bean or pre-ground.

First-24-hour discount: Use code COSTA15 at checkout for 15% off either Costa Rica SKU. The code is active from Tuesday May 12, 9 AM PT through Wednesday May 13, 9 AM PT. One use per customer.

If you are on our email list, you will get a launch announcement Tuesday morning. If you are not, you can still grab the discount by entering the code at checkout during the 24-hour window.

Frequently asked questions

What does the CBD version cost?

$30 for a 12oz whole bean bag, $31 for 12oz ground. 2oz sample sizes are $10 and $11 respectively. Same pricing as our Colombia and Burundi.

What does the non-infused version cost?

Same pricing as the CBD version. We do not discount the non-infused tier; the green coffee, the roasting, the packaging, and the labor are the same. The only difference is whether the cannabinoid is added.

Is the CBD version drug-test safe?

It uses our standard broad-spectrum CBD with non-detectable THC, verified on every batch by third-party COA. Standard workplace urine tests look for THC metabolites, not CBD. That said, no hemp product can fully guarantee a negative drug test, especially with daily use. If you face high-stakes testing, the safest option is the non-infused version of this coffee or any pure specialty coffee.

How fresh will the bag be when it arrives?

We roast to order in Los Angeles. Your bag ships within 1 to 4 days of the roast date.

Is this a one-time release or an ongoing SKU?

The current lot is limited by what came off the farm. Once it sells through, we will source another Tarrazu lot for the next harvest cycle. Both the CBD and non-infused versions will continue as ongoing SKUs in our line.

What about your espresso blend?

The espresso blend launches in early June. It is a three-origin blend (Costa Rica plus Mexico plus Colombia) roasted medium-dark for traditional espresso machines, moka pot, and AeroPress. We will announce it with its own article when it ships.

Closing thought

Costa Rica Tarrazu has been on our shortlist of single-origins to add for two years. The right lot finally came through. If you have been drinking our line for a while and want a brighter, cleaner cup, this one is going to be the one you reach for in the morning. If you are new to Buddha Beans, the Costa Rica is a forgiving first cup: clean, sweet, easy to brew, and the kind of coffee that does not need anything besides hot water and a good filter.

Tuesday at 9 AM Pacific. COSTA15 for the first 24 hours.