Category: Roasters
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Adventures at Sol Naciente
A Visit in the Rain My February visit to Sol Naciente will likely remain memorable not just for the insights gained, but for an adventure that perfectly illustrates the spirit of Costa Rica’s coffee community. While discussing the farm’s operations with Jimmy Bonilla Martinez, the skies opened up. The rain transformed the already steep approach…
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The Price of Coffee
Market Challenges and Better Solutions Recently, the price for green coffee beans on the international market climbed dramatically to $4.5 per pound. While this surge has since settled to under $4 per pound, it raises important questions about market reactions to reduced coffee availability. This significant price increase deserves scrutiny, particularly because the financial gains…
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Monte Copey Coffee
When I tried to go up to the Monte Copey Finca Beneficio on Monte Copey during the rainy season I took one look at the steep and narrow path, gave up and had lunch at La Catarata before going to the more accessible coffee shop. The story of Monte Copey Coffee began 17 years ago when…
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FARAMI
FARAMI was founded in 1983 by Don Juan Luis Fallas and Maria Eugenia Ramirez (FaRaMi) by the purchase of a finca of 3.5 ha. Initially coffee as well as other agricultural products were offered. The farm grew steadily achieving in 2013 third place in the Cup of Excellence competition. Today the finca covers nearly 15 ha.…
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Juanachute
Luis Castro (Tacho) came to meet me at the beneficio Juanachute after I arrived which I much appreciate. We looked around the mill where over 1000 fanegas are processed every year. I am looking forward to my next visit when the now quiet plant will be busy and the raised beds full of cherries. Depending…
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Café La Cumbre
While writing this post at 5pm, I am watching the mist slowly rolling up the valley giving the lush landscape a wonderful, mystical rain-forest atmosphere. The temperature does though drop to around 15 degrees centigrade with a humidity around 90%. It is better to appreciate the beauty of the scenery and to ignore the cold…
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Café Döga
When I arrived at Cafe Döga I met Francini Vargas sitting on the doorstep enjoying the afternoon sun. At 3 pm sunshine at this time of year is unusual, more usual is torrential rain. As the harvest has not yet begun Francini had time to talk about the mill and the family fincas. Café Döga…