I’m on a roll here with my reviews on various Nespresso Vertuo coffee pods. And I have been enjoying every bit of my journey of discovering the nuances and subtleties of each one of them!
Today, I have a special treat for you. Nespresso Costa Rica is a bit different from most other Nespresso Vertuo coffees I’ve reviewed so far. You’ll soon find out why.
Nespresso Vertuo pods offer a wide range of flavors, tastes, and roasts for you to choose from.
It all depends on your taste, mood, season, or even the time of the day. But one thing is for sure — there’s always a Nespresso coffee that’s perfect for the moment!
Now, let’s find out why Nespresso Costa Rica is so special.
What is Nespresso Costa Rica?
This malty and sweet coffee is part of the Nespresso’s Master Crafted Single Origin series. This means that the coffee beans have been picked from one region — the high mountains in Costa Rica.
In other instances, you have blends that combine beans from Central and South America or you get a blend that combines both Robusta and Arabica beans.
The origins of the Nespresso Costa Rica coffee beans make it special as well as the way the Arabica beans are processed (more about it in a bit).
Suffice it to say that it is yet another example of how Nespresso takes great care to carefully curate coffee beans to bring you the best in coffee.
You can brew a Gran Lungo (5oz or 150ml) mug with a single Nespresso Costa Rica capsule.
Either buy a sleeve with 10 pods or if you can’t live without it, go for a 3-pack bundle with 30 pods. The aluminum capsules pack in the freshest Nespresso Costa Rica blend. Each capsule contains 10.5 grams of ground and roasted coffee beans.
Check out my Nespresso Colombia review for another single-origin coffee with a sweet and fruity flavor.
Nespresso Costa Rica Flavor Profile
The flavor profile of Nespresso Costa Rica consists of sweet and malty notes. These coffee pods deliver an authentic taste of the Costa Rican coffee landscape.
The crystal clear and balanced taste is a result of soaking the beans in mineral water.
The slow cooling down of the hot spring water to waters of a temperature of 18°C coaxes out the unique aromatic and taste profile. The result is a coffee that transports you to the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica with every sip.
Nespresso Costa Rica Caffeine Content
One 5-ounce cup made with a Nespresso Costa Rica capsule contains about 140 milligrams of caffeine. This is a bit more than you would usually have in an average 8-ounce cup of coffee.
I had my first Costa Rica coffee on a lazy Sunday morning. I added a splash of full-cream milk and really enjoyed the full-bodied and mellow taste of this coffee.
After about 20 minutes I didn’t feel so lazy anymore — in fact, I was full of energy.
So I took my bicycle and went out for a long trip that lasted until the lunch time. What perfect and relaxing start for a day!
Nespresso Costa Rica Features
I’ve already given you some hints about the flavor profile of Nespresso Costa Rica and its processing method that makes it stand out from the rest.
Now let’s look at the main features and find out why you may enjoy it.
Origin
True to its name, the Costa Rica coffee pods derive their beans from the high altitudes of Costa Rica in Central America.
The unique terroir of the region contributes to the beans’ exquisite flavor profile, capturing the essence of the Costa Rican landscape and its coffee culture.
The handful of beans are treated in hot spring water before they are brought to the water mill. Here, the temperature of the water lowers over 12 hours from 70°C to 18°C.
During the cooling process, the coffee beans absorb the flavors and aromas of the springwater that is rich in minerals. Hence, you get a clear and balanced cup with distinct malt and sweet notes.
Bitterness
Scoring 3 out of 5 on the bitterness scale, the Nespresso Costa Rica has a gentle bitterness that captivates the palate.
If you’re someone who’s had plenty of coffee with low bitterness and wants to level up your game, this could be the right choice for you.
Acidity
The low acidity level of Nespresso Costa Rica is only 1 on a scale of 5.
Its vibrant acidity beautifully sets off the middling bitterness, creating a cup that’s energetic and bold without going over the top.
Roast Level
Nespresso Costa Rica has a roast level of 4/5. The beans are split roast to bring out the full flavor of the coffee.
Although these are single-origin beans, they are divided into two parts. The first part goes through a medium-dark roast to get the malty and sweet notes.
The second part is roasted to a darker level to bring out more robustness and more pronounced bitterness, giving the coffee a more intense flavor, texture, and taste.
Body
The Nespresso Costa Rica coffee offers a full-bodied experience that’s smooth and satisfying on the palate.
It scores 3 out of 5 on the body scale, giving you a cup that should be savored over long and slow sips.
Intensity
The intensity of the Costa Rica blend is moderate, scoring 7 on a scale of 13, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a flavorful yet not overly powerful cup.
With the acidity, aroma, and flavors running in tandem without overtaking each other, the Costa Rica blend is something that you can enjoy with or without milk.
Finish
The crystal clear finish of the Nespresso Costa Rica coffee shines through, thanks to the painstaking method of processing the beans in hot water springs and then slow-cooling them.
The lingering aftertaste makes you want to take another sip and relish the highlands of Costa Rica.
Portion Size
Gran Lungo or 5-oz (150 ml) mug is the perfect portion size to savor the flavors of Costa Rica climes.
The slight acidity adds a tang to the full-bodied and smooth texture, while the sweet malty notes linger on your palate.
If you want to try another Single Origin coffee of the same portion size, check out my Nespresso Ethiopia review.
Looking for a quick espresso shot with a light and sweet taste?
Then read my Nespresso Voltesso review and try it.
Price
Nespresso Costa Rica coffee pods are available in a sleeve of 10 pods for $12.00.
Alternatively, you can order a bundle pack of 3 from Amazon with a total of 30 pods.
Note that the prices may vary depending on your location.
Nespresso Costa Rica Review Conclusion
An homage to the Costa Rican landscape, Nespresso Costa Rica coffee is made from rare beans grown on the mountains of this region in Central America.
Its unique processing method renders a balanced and smooth cup of coffee that has a lingering aftertaste and a hint of acidity with sweet and malty notes.
Nespresso Vertuo Costa Rica is a unique and vibrant coffee adventure that’s best enjoyed in a Gran Lungo size.
For a more impactful, richer, and creamier coffee experience, check out my review on Nespresso Bianco Doppio.
Don’t forget to look out for more of my reviews on Nespresso capsules that can be brewed with a Nespresso Vertuo machine. Here’s to a good coffee day!