The goal today was to move to our second location at San Jose, Costa Rica. We have had a great experience so far but it is time to experience another part of Costa Rica. So first, we packed up and headed out. Along the way we decided to do a Coffee tour. The trek across the mountains was scary to some, and beautiful beyond belief. Megan continued to drive for the aforementioned reasons and I have to hand it to her - this is mountain roads like we have not encountered in the Great Smoky Mountains or the Rocky Mountains. She fought off motion sickness for much of the day and brought us through the mountains safe and sound.
We stopped here at Hacienda Alsacia - the only coffee plantation owned by Starbucks. It's a small far of about 500 Acres but Starbucks considers this farm their research and development farm. The first thing you encounter is an actual Starbucks. Probably the Starbucks with the best view.
We hung out at the Starbucks while we waited for our tour to begin
The region in brown on this globe represents regions that can support coffee growth at certain elevations.
The beans
This is our most knowledgeable tour guide
These photos above and the one below were taken within minutes of each other. We witnessed the clouds rolling in
These beans will turn red and be ready for harvest between October and January
A Starbucks roaster. The vast majority of the beans grown here are not roasted until they reach the Seattle roasting facility. It is only then that the final husks are removed and the bean is left with its deep brown color
The tour, of course, ended in a coffee tasting. Something that you may not believe, but true nonetheless, I have never tried coffee in my young life until today. Having had several tastes today (without cream or sugar because we are told it defiles the true nature of the bean) I can't think of a reason why I might ever try it again - but you never know.
We reached our new accommodations for the next four days or so and they could not be more different from the last. Still, quite comfortable and nice. Blessed to be here and thankful for a great place to stay.
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