First Impressions of Doka Coffee

Greeted with my first sip of cold coffee in Costa Rica, I knew that this was the place to buy the coffee grounds my mom was begging me to get in my time at Costa Rica. After starting the last two mornings with black, hot coffee, it was a nice change to taste the chocolate and cinnamon flavored cold coffee. This only increased by excitement to see the process of the bean to the cup at the Doka Plantation.

Surprises in The Process

I was very surprised that it takes three years just to grow the coffee plant before you can harvest your first year of beans. Next we headed over to the oldest wet mill in Costa Rica. With over 100 years of experience under its belt, it was very cool to learn that it is still used today. The overall age and efficiency of the machinery was the most surprising part, considering that the coffee is being shipped to modern brands that use a lot of technology and innovation like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.

Fulfilling the Hype

Tasting the Costa Rican coffee for the first time far exceeded my original expectations of the coffee. I thought it was excellent. I am super glad I got to experience the authentic Costa Rican coffee and tour the plantation learning all about the process such as peeling the skin from the cherry or the fermentation of the beans. Although technology and innovation has been rapidly increasing, Doka has stayed true to the old style of farming the coffee beans. The technology may be able to speed up the process, but keeping the old ways ensure the outstanding quality of the coffee bean.