outdoors,  travel

Doka Coffee Plantation Costa Rica Part 1

November 9, 2022 /

The day we visited the La Paz Waterfall Gardens was the same day we visited the Doka Coffee Plantation. When looking at tours, these two locations are usually grouped together but after realizing that a tour would requite us to be on a bus for quite a while picking up people at different hotels we decided to visit these two places on our own. It was cheaper this way and gave us more freedom on getting up later and having our own timeline.

The Plants

This tour was really interesting and we learned a lot about coffee production. We were lucky to be the only 2 on the tour and have the undivided attention of our guide. We love her and highly recommend this tour. The plantation plants Arabica coffee and replaces its plants every 25 years.

The middle tree is 1 year old and plants are read to be harvested after 3 years. The trees are pruned every 6 years after the first harvest. Harvest season is from October to January.

The Berries

Berries are ready to be picked when they are read and each berry gives 2 beans. The bean is called grano de oro or golden bean.

The Harvest

Berries are picked and put in a cajuela which is tied around the waist. Each cajuela can hold 25 lbs and workers are paid by cajuela. For each cajuela, the workers are paid 1300 colones ($2) and they typically pick 12 to 15 cajuelas a day . The workers at this plantation come mostly for Nicaragua for the season and receive lodging/utilities and medical. Workers receive a token per basket which are exchanged for money at the end of the week.

The pay here is worth 3 times more in Nicaragua so they send a lot of the money home. The plantation employs about 150 pickers per season. Those 25 lbs cajuela picked? become 5 lbs of beans and once they are roasted those beans become about 4 lbs!

Come back on Friday to learn what happens after the beans are picked!

A bientôt!

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