Coffee is Always a Good Idea...

August 10th: 

Today was an amazing day! We got to take a step-by-step tour of the coffee plantation, one of Costa Rica's biggest exports. 

After breakfast, we divided into two groups - Group A (SciCREW and Frogger Loggers) left first for the plantation. David, our tour guide, did a wonderful job explaining the entire process to us - from plant growth, to bean harvest, selection, wash, dry, roast and package - it was an awesome experience!! 

This shows the step by step growth process of a coffee bean plant. Did you know??? Since Costa Rica does not have an army, they refer to their young coffee plants as "small soldiers." 

Full grown coffee plant!! They trim them after 6 years of growth so that the plant can put more energy into its harvest than its size! (Also, Costa Ricans are typically pretty short, so they need to keep the trees short enough to harvest!) 

For the best taste, beans will dry naturally for 4-6 weeks. We had way too much fun in here! 

Almost there! Time to roast - 22 minutes for a light, 25 for a medium, and 27 for a dark roast... All at 200 degrees Celcius!! 

Coffee trees at the plantation ^

Compost is made here in this shaded tent - the worms feed on the shells of the coffee bean! 

We also got to try delicious fresh squeezed sugar cane juice! (With a little hint of sugar cane alcohol as well) which led us to a little Costa Rican history lesson... 

This is the machine used to juice the sugar cane! Cody got to test it out! 

Apparently in Costa Rican history, it was a large punishment to be caught riding the export wagons (full of coffee) drunk, because shipments would often get lost/ delayed/ etc. This led to the coining of the phrase, "Are you montado en la carreta?" O en inglés, "Are you riding the wagon?" To mean are you drunk? Funny that we use the phrase, "falling off the wagon!" We got a kick out of that :) 

After our tour we got to taste test, we were served a delicious lunch, and we got shop a little!! Definitely bringing home a few treats!! 

When we got back from the plantation Group B left and we had some project work time/ free time. We napped, then worked quite a bit on our presentation. It's really coming together!! (Thursday we present to the entire group!) 

Dinner was followed by game night per usual... And now it's time for bed! Banana plantation tomorrow - hopefully as much fun as it was today!!