The Golden Bean Coffee Farm in Costa Rica
On a recent trip to Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to tour the Golden Bean coffee farm. It is located in the Turrialba region, which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive east of the capital, San José.
The trip to Golden Bean is really spectacular. You drive through the mountains with coffee, bananas, and sugar cane growing all around you. About 15 miles from San José you will drive through Cartago. It is a city of about 156,000 and is situated at 4700 feet above sea level, at the base of Irazú and Turrialba Volcanoes. There is also a pre-Columbian ruins nearby, Guayabo National Monument.
There is so much to see in the area, I suggest you find a hotel and spend a few days in the area. Let me know if you are going and I will put you in touch with my good friends, Ginnee and Phil, who have a 1270 acre farm very near the Golden Bean farm. Check out their website: Vida Esperanza.
The Golden Bean is easy to find, since its owner, Jorge Cutie, has placed many signs along the highways. More Costa Rican attractions and hotels could take a lesson from Jorge in effective sign placement. Also, you may visit Golden Bean’s website at the link below for directions. They are in the small village of Atirro.
The following is Jorge’s description of the coffee tour.
This is a real agro-tour! After learning about the history of coffee you will learn how coffee is farmed and harvested prior to the milling and roasting process at our Golden Bean Coffee Mill which is sustainable and UTZ Certified, ensuring that our coffee is produced in harmony with the environment in a socially responsible way. www.utzcertified.org
In the mill you will witness the transformation of the coffee cherry into a ready to roast bean, this process includes coffee reception and measurement, depulping, fermenting, drying, storage and finally husking and grading. Once graded the coffee is ready for roasting. After a visit to our roasting facilities we offer an interactive cupping session in wich each participant will be able to cup different types and qualities of coffee. Our expert guide will also teach you how to prepare outstanding coffee at home!
After the cupping session we invite you to visit our Golden Bean Factory Store where you will be able to enjoy various types of coffee, chocolate, espresso beans as well as a selection of fine coffee liqueurs, you will find a wise variety of souvenirs.
Upon completion of this tour, participants will know all the secrets behind a great cup of coffee!
www.goldenbean.net
posted by Robert @ 5/07/2009
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