Today was, sadly, our last day of site visits here in Costa Rica. To say I’ve learned “a little” would be a major understatement. This trip has been an eye-opening journey, not just into the culture and , but into the complex world of coffee. From learning about the origins and history of the bean…
Tag: Malina Cameron
The Truffle Shuffle
Today’s site visit was to Sibo Chocolate, an authentic artisan award winning Costa Rican chocolate company! As a longtime chocolate lover, I was especially excited for this tour, and I can say it did not disappoint. The owners Julio and George have masterfully combined innovation with tradition to create some of the best chocolate I’ve…
Sweat, Bugs, and Bananas
Today’s site visit offered a refreshing look at agriculture through the lens of smaller-scale, community-driven farming. Francini’s family farm contrasted to the larger, more business oriented, plantations we had visited earlier. In comparison, Francini’s farm felt intimate and deeply personal, we were even welcomed by her young daughter, adding a warm, family-oriented atmosphere to the…
Pura Vida, Pineapples, and Pit Stains
After a relaxing day lounging on the beach and soaking in the sun, it was time to trade the waves for rows of pineapples and get a taste of Costa Rican pineapple. Our visit to a pineapple farm began with a welcome of piña coladas made from the farm’s own pineapple harvest. From there, we…
Goats, Chicks & Eco-Sips
After our last night in Monteverde, we ended our trip in Monteverde with a visit to Life Monteverde. Life Monteverde is a unique coffee farm that serves as a sustainability education center. This tour was the most hands-on experiences we had so far. We didn’t just walk through coffee plants, got the chance to roll…
Muddy Shoes, Cloudy Mountains
On the fifth day of our Costa Rican adventure, we hiked along the misty trails of Monteverde’s cloud forest. The first thing that greeted us was sounds of birdsong echoing through the canopy. This acted as a living soundtrack to one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Costa Rica, though small in size, only…
Valley Vibes to Cloudy Climes
After many hot, sunny mornings in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, we finally made the long journey up into the mountains to Monteverde. Monteverde is around 4,600 feet above sea level. The first thing I noticed was the drop in temperature, a refreshing change from the heat we had grown used to in the Central Valley….
Coffee with the Britts
Today was our second day of site visits, and our stop was at Café Britt. This visit was directly connected to yesterday’s tour of the Doka Estate, which is owned and operated by Café Britt. While Doka focuses on growing and harvesting the coffee beans, Café Britt plays a role in the supply chain relating…
De Fresas a Café: Un Viaje del Amargo al Dulce
Today in Costa Rice we had the opportunity to explore two very different yet equally intriguing corners of the country’s agricultural landscape. One being the Doka Coffee Plantation and the other being a local strawberry farm. Each location offered a window into the lens of agriculture. While both farms share connections to the land and…
¡Bienvenidos, exploradores!
Today was our first day in Costa Rica! Today we explored Heredia on foot, visited the central Market and got a chance to interact more with our Mamaticas. So far, Costa Rica has been a wonderful experience. Being able to interact directly with the culture has been incredible. At our homestay our Mamatica greeted us…
¡Hola, chicos!
Hello! My name is Malina Cameron, and I just finished my first year at Pitt! I am majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. Outside of academics, I am currently an active member in the business fraternity Phi Gamma Nu, where I serve as the director of professional development. I am also an active member…