The mountains around San Jose are the main production area for coffee in Costa Rica. This is how it looked about 30 kilometres away from the city as we went to a coffee plantation.
This is the coffee plantation we visited early in the morning. First on the agenda was a good breakfast and some savouring of various coffee blends from the estate. Once the breakfast was done then it was off to begin the tour.
Of course Maureen got a turn at picking some of the coffee beans, well berries or cherries actually. I don’t think that she would make a good living at it as the work is done on the steep sides of the mountains. It’s hard to pick and keep one’s balance as well.
We then toured the processing area which included an area where the beans are sun dried for eight hours before being dried in drums for a while longer. I got to check out the actual beans.
The tools that the workers used to turn the beans drying in the sun was a strange looking wooden rake of sorts. Besides the picking of the berries, this was the only part of the process that wasn’t mechanized.
Needless to say, I found other photos to take besides the coffee production photos.
This is a bird of paradise (I think) that I found next to the small plantation museum.
We also found another flower that is a cousin of this one. 
I was told twice by our guide what it is called in Latin, but I forgot almost as soon as I was told.
And finally, the coffee berries themselves. The red berries are the ones that are considered the best. Too dark and they aren’t very good. Green berries are even worse.
Well, enough for this post. The next post will feature more of day two in San Jose area.
Looks like your vacation is off to a FABULOUS start! I’ve given the link to this page to a couple of my good friends so we can all enjoy the warmth and excitement that takes us away from winter and the rink! In other news, I got a new camera! A Canon EOS Rebel XSI! It is super awesome and I’ll be able to get some great hockey pictures now!
A Canon EOS – I am jealous! I am looking forward to the photos. Your friends are welcome to enjoy the posts and photos.
This is so cool, I love coffee, so remember me when you pick lots and lots of coffee beans. The pictures are hreat.
I’m hoping I can remember to bring some coffee back with us. Maybe that will encourage you to stop in for a weekend visit – Costa Rican coffee … mmmm, good.
Yes, Costa Rican coffee… Good,,, and yes, I will stop in after you get back, save me a cup Oh and You do take some great pictures,
Now I have a great reason to bring back some Costa Rican coffee – anything to get my brother to stop over for a visit. LOL!
I learned a lot from your post, thanks!1!
I’m glad that you are enjoying the posts, Lia. More are coming.