Coffee Plantations: What Is Worth Seeing for Yourself

Any avid coffee admirer will tell you that coffee is not just a drink but a whole philosophy. And even though most people give it just a romantic and a bit mystical fleur, inspired by movies and modern tendencies, they don’t realize what efforts stand behind a cup of this drink. People see only roasted coffee beans, enjoy the aroma, and decide how to make a cup of coffee and whether it is worth reading a budget coffee makers review or one should buy something expensive. They are not interested in the background, so the whole scope of work remains in a shadow. But if you want to broaden your horizons, it is worth examining the entire process from the beginning. And if you find yourself in a country that produces coffee, make sure to visit their coffee plantations. You will surely get outstanding experience and find out what it takes to make one coffee pack. Here are the main destinations that are worth your attention.

Costa Rica, Doka Estate

Many people have heard about coffee plantations in Costa Rica since it is one of few countries that has been growing coffee for three centuries. People have been working there for many years to get the first crops. And the farmers’ efforts were not in vain since coffee is Costa Rica’s main export and source of income. Mainly, Arabica coffee trees grow in the country. And if you want to see the production process with your eyes, you can pop in one of the numerous coffee plantations. For example, you can visit Doka Estate that is located on the slopes of Póas Volcano. Many companies offer guide tours to this plantation, so you have good chances to enjoy its wonderful atmosphere and watch the processes of producing high-quality coffee beans.

Cuba, La Isabelica

What pictures pop up in your head when you hear the word “Cuba”? The chances are high that it will be about smiling faces, old cars, beautiful cities with colonial buildings, cigars, sugar cane, and, of course, coffee. Today, about 150 thousand hectares are occupied by coffee plantations, most of which are private farms. They are located in the forested lowlands of the Sierra Maestra, Sierra del Rosario, Sierra de Trinidad, Baracoa, Guantanamo. They mainly grow Arabica coffee, which has low acidity and slightly different properties compared to what grows in other Central American countries. And if you want to see their plantations, you can start with La Isabelica, located in the Sierra Maestra. This place has a charming story about two people in love who were together despite a huge social gap.  

India, Coorg

They have been growing coffee in India since the 17th century. A legend says that in 1670, the Muslim pilgrim Baba Budangiri from Yemen planted the first seven coffee beans in this country. The city of Baba Budangiri, where coffee plantations are cultivated today, was named in his honor by grateful Hindus. Every year locals host a colorful celebration in honor of the founder of coffee production. India produces two types of coffee. Robusta coffee trees grow on the lower plantations, located at an altitude of about 200 meters above sea level, while Arabica trees grow in the highland gardens. And if you find yourself in India in November, you can visit their amazing coffee plantations. Thus, Coorg is the country’s prime coffee region, surrounded by homestays and picturesque landscapes.

Indonesia, Satria Coffee Plantation

Unlike other similar places, this plantation is open to tourists. Here you can see a real botanical garden, watch all the stages of traditional coffee production, taste more than a dozen drinks and buy coffee beans in the store. Satria is a small family farm halfway between Ubud and Lake Batur. The favorable position allowed its owners to grow coffee, cocoa, and spices and show their farm to tourists, earning additional income. Farmers speak six languages, so you will not face a language barrier.

Of course, many people decide to visit this coffee plantation specifically because of their famous and expensive refreshing drink, the processing method of which causes an ambiguous reaction. You might have heard about Luwak coffee, which one can compare only with the best Ethiopian coffee brands, but they still differ much. But anyway, if you are ready to spend a pretty penny on this type of coffee, or it is on your must-do list, you should give it a try.

Colombia, Finca Don Eduardo

One of the oldest plantations has existed since 1892. Here you can see the equipment that has been working almost from the beginning of production. In Colombia, there is the concept of the so-called coffee triangle. Its abbreviation MAM: Medellin – Armenia – Manizales. There are about five thousand coffee plantations in the country. Most often, these are small, family businesses with a cultivation area of ​​1 to 3 hectares. Colombians are very friendly people, and they are happy to share the secrets of growing coffee with tourists and let them touch this process with their own hands. You can make a special coffee route and take a ride through several places, but make sure to pop in Finca Don Eduardo in Salento. You will enjoy a great story about the coffee production, told by the owner. Don Eduardo is an American who has lived in Colombia for a long time. You will see both traditional and hybrid crops on his plantation.

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