In looking at how delivery relates to the various phases of agricultural production and distribution in Central America, I’ve managed to have a greater level of respect for the delicious fruits and drinks that I consume on a regular basis. Starting all the way at the growing phase, we got to ask some great questions…

While today’s tour was largely review in terms of the actual process of producing coffee, we got to see a whole new perspective on the economic side of bean distribution. Whereas Doka was a mega crop, Life Monteverde was a humble artisan crop, and Britt was a grinder/roaster/producer, Coopedota acted more as an alliance between…

In comparing today’s crops with those of coffee, it certainly seems like the fruits are a bit simpler to cultivate, especially given that they correspond with our expectations of modern agriculture. Whereas coffee requires a very convoluted process of hand-picking, cherry-sorting, de-shelling, washing, and roasting. plants like pineapple merely need to be sliced off of…

In today’s hike, we got to take to the mountains in Arenal for a high-flying bridge expedition! The Misticos Hanging Bridges Park was my favorite hike so far, mainly due to the unique views offered by the very adventurous rope bridges that we crossed. Being suspended higher up and held together by a less stable…

In getting to explore another batch of coffee crops, today’s tour ended up being all about craftsmanship. While the two full-on crops that we have seen so far were both quick to emphasize the quality of their beans, today’s tour took the idea of dedication to a new level. In accordance with the previous day’s…

After seeing and hearing the great extent to which citizens of Monteverde are dedicated to conservation, it is clear what these locals are willing to sacrifice in lieu of helping the natural wildlife that surrounds their homes. Unfortunately, while there are certain specific ways where a community can get “two birds with one stone” by…

In many ways, it feels like we have transitioned to a brand new country with today’s journey from Heredia to Monteverde. It is not a country that is bizarre or unfamiliar, mind you, but it does have a very different vibe. In a lot of ways, the drive up to Monteverde reminded me of our…

Powering through the second coffee company tour in as many days, we have gotten the opportunity to do a comparison to see how operations vary for different stakeholders in the industry. Of course, the most notable difference between Doka and Café Britt is that they hold different positions in the coffee supply chain, with Doka…

If there was one thing that surprised me most about how the operations of the Doka plantation that we visited, it was the way in which they managed their labor. While I knew that immigration from Nicaragua to Costa Rica was common, I was absolutely shocked to hear that Nicaraguan workers made up ~75% of…

I would say that, all things considered, my expectations were fairly accurate regarding how everything would physically be in Heredia. Going into the trip, I had a sense of certain things like the market, the Catholic architecture, and the general attitudes of the locals. It’s possible that things might be more geographically compact than I…

If I had to choose one word to describe my perception of Costa Rica’s sustainability initiatives, it would be: “ambitious”. They are certainly punching above their weight, considering how heavy the commitment to conservation is for such a small nation. This is certainly a virtue that is to be admired, as a growth mindset with…