Day Two: Chacon Family Farm

Owner: Ernesto & Carmen Chacon
Town: Grecia, Alaljuela
Farm type: Smallholder
Altitude: 1350 meters above sea level
Varietals: Canturra and Catuai
Production: 50 bags of 100 lbs per hectare
C.A.F.E Practices

Leaving this place today gave me a sense of commitment to quality and respect for the bean! Ernesto and his family have a deep sense of commitment to his farm, our coffee, and a feeling that evokes respect amongst all of us! Love what you do, and pay it forward! <3 there is a story to tell from all of us that can speak to both respect and commitment... What's yours?

Day one: Stop four: Candelaria Estate

Owner: Otto & Helmut Klotti & Hans Perter Aeberhard
Town: Candelaria, Palmares, Alajuela
Farm type: Estate
Altitude: 1080 meters above sea level
Varietals: Caturra & Catuai
Production: 45 bags of 100 lbs per hectare
C.A.F.E. Practices Status: Strategic Supplier

This is a mill estate, and the majority of the coffee grown here is bought by Starbucks. They have had a relationship with Starbucks for about 17 years.

Day one: stop three : Coop Victoria Field Plot (#2)

Owner: Property of Coop Victoria
Town: Grecia, Alaljuela
Farm Type: Field plot used for seed production
Altitude: 1000 meters above sea level
Varietals: this plot is used for Seed Production

Selection is the key word in this plot. The farmers have to remain in control to provide the highest quality coffee. There are different plant throughout this plot and the areas are separated by the red plants (also known locally as the Roosters tail). You can identify the different species by the structure of the plant. All of coffee trees are here are approximately 1 year old. It takes a minimum of three years for the first harvest to take place.

Day one: Stop two: Coop Victoria Field Plot

Owner: Property of Coop Victoria
Town: Grecia, Alaljuela
Farm type: Field Plot used for Seed Production
Altitude: 1000 meters above sea level
Varietals: this plot is used for seed production

These plants are 3-4 years old and they are identified by the color of the leaves. The farmers also use the pruning as a way to identify the age. Each stub equals approximately 5 years. The plants are blooming for approximately 3-4 days, they plants that will be harvested will be identified by a red rope. With the fact that these plants are for seed production the farmers carefully keep watch the plants to see what works. If by chance they are not optimal for production the decision is made in the moment and the ones that are are replicated.