This spring, Alex Usherwood (center) and I (far proper) joined Kaldi’s Espresso head roaster, Dale Bassham (mid proper), on a visit to Costa Rica to go to the famed espresso property, Hacienda La Minita, which implies “small mine.” After two days in San Jose, we met up with Dancing Goat’s green-buyer Bob Benck (far left) and the Atlanta Roastery Supervisor, Brad Lawrence (mid left). Dancing Goats has been shopping for espresso from La Minita since 1992, and Bob’s been visiting the farm for nearly 20 years – his information and respect for the farm shone via as he helped us be taught the historical past and present state of espresso rising in Costa Rica.
Recapping a visit like it is a daunting process, so I’m going to interrupt our go to into three sections. I hope you may take pleasure in all of them, however listed here are hyperlinks if you wish to skip to the farm or the mill:
Half 2: On the Slopes of Tarrazu
Half 3: From Cherry to Cup, On the Processing Station (Coming in September!)
Bonus: See extra photos throughout a number of Instagram posts right here.
We dropped towards the earth rapidly, our proper wing dipping to arrange the method, and the mountains of Costa Rica got here into view for the primary time. Rising up round San Jose and the central valley, the mountains sat lush, volcanic, like a promise of our vacation spot, reaching towards us as we gazed down at them.
Earlier than we’d attain the mountains in Tarrazu although, I might scheduled an additional day for us in San Jose. Vacationers usually land and instantly go away the capitol for the seashores, volcanos, mountains, and retreats across the nation, however we gave ourselves a full day to discover and benefit from the bustling metropolis.
After settling into our downtown lodge, tucked on a busy facet avenue close to town’s central market, we spent our first night at an open air restaurant earlier than strolling the size of Central Avenue, which was a pedestrian-only street crammed with retailers, avenue distributors, and music.
If you’re touring with a espresso crew in a brand new metropolis, it’s assured that an early morning seek for espresso is within the playing cards. After a conventional Costa Rican breakfast of rice, beans, eggs, and plantains on the Grand Lodge, we discovered a pleasant cafe serving wonderful espresso only a few blocks away. La Mancha felt open and breezy, welcoming, and served deliciously candy espresso from Tarrazu, the area we’d be touring to the subsequent day. 5 stars: dreamy and scrumptious.
Since we’d had about 6 cups of espresso every by this level, we have been prepared to go out and stroll throughout town.
We’d agreed to go to the Costa Rican Artwork Museum which sits simply throughout a big metropolis park from the nationwide stadium, house of Los Ticos, the Costa Rican Nationwide Soccer (soccer) Crew. These items could appear unrelated, however are positively two of my loves. The museum itself was San Jose’s authentic airport terminal and was a murals in itself.
The two mile trek, adopted by a little bit of a wander via the park, left us prepared for just a little deal with, so we stopped for ice cream at a sidewalk cafe. At this level, I’d let you recognize that none of us spoke Spanish nicely, but it surely wasn’t a problem throughout our time in San Jose. The individuals have been understanding and spoke great English, although I did resolve to be taught some Spanish forward of future journeys to non-English talking nations (replace: I simply accomplished Spanish I at SLCC this summer time).
Subsequent, we headed again throughout San Jose to go to the Nationwide Museum of Costa Rica, the place we marveled at their butterfly home, archeological shows, and realized extra concerning the historical past of the nation. Initially a barracks, now a museum with a butterfly home, that includes a distinguished shelter modeled after a Diquís (“nice waters”) sphere. I wanted we’d began right here, as there was a lot to learn and revel in, however the museum closed at 4:30 and we ran out of time!
The shelter in entrance of the museum homes a Diquís sphere, a lot of which have been displayed on the museum grounds and indoors as nicely. These spheres date again so far as 300 CE and are thought to have lined the paths to chieftains’ shelters on the southern coast within the Diquís tradition.
It was fascinating, at each museums, to see and be taught the historical past of colonialism and low within the nations growth, artwork, and tradition. Costa Rica first exported espresso in 1820, however over the subsequent century, it accounted for 90% of all exports.
I do know it’s widespread to fly into San Jose and instantly head to a coast, volcano, nature protect, or mountain, however I’d completely advocate spending 2-3 nights within the metropolis to get a special view of life in Costa Rica.
One other attractive sundown within the metropolis, one other stroll via the bustling streets at night time, earlier than the morning was upon us once more and it was time to taxi out to fulfill Bob and Brad at their lodge close to the airport. From there, we left town and headed into the mountains, stopping at a espresso co-op for a tasting and tour, then up, up into the hillsides of Los Santos and our first glimpse of the sweetness that’s Hacienda La Minita.
