A journey to Costa Rica.
This is what direct trade truly means to me. We’ve been working with Hellen for three years now, thanks to Nicolas, who exports coffee from Costa Rica. Last year, I had the pleasure of driving the most winding and bumpy road up to the top of the mountain where Hellen’s home and farm are located. We arrived in a car Nico had borrowed from his mom, since his own had broken down the day before. At some point, his mom’s small SUV couldn’t make it any farther, so Hellen came down in her big pickup and towed us up the rest of the way.
First, she fed us, then showed us the farm and shared its story. After the walk, she prepared a cupping, presenting eight of her coffees. A cupping in the kitchen, with rice and beans cooking right next to us? Why not!
The coffees were phenomenal – and that geisha? Ah, a coffee that has been haunting my dreams ever since I returned from Costa Rica. Full of tropical fruits, yet without the heavy fermentation often associated with coffees from this country. Notes of banana and pineapple, plenty of sweet red wine, and currants – all perfectly balanced and in their rightful place.
