Coffee

I don't really like coffee. Tomorrow we're going to a coffee plantation so I researched a little to learn more about it before we go.

The last decade of the eighteenth century is when coffee was first brought to Costa Rica. After the slow movement across the country, Costa Rica became the first country in Central America to establish a coffee industry. Colombia was the first country that coffee was exported to, followed by Chile. After arrival in Chile, the coffee would be repackaged and sold in Europe under a Chilean name. In 1854, Costa Rica began exporting to London which led to the coffee becoming known as the "grain of gold". The bean was able to be exported after an oxcart path was built from the central valley where it was grown to the Caribbean coast for export.

Coffee helped modernize Costa Rica and brought more wealth and opportunity not only from current citizens but also from Europe and other places. The Atlantic railroad that I mentioned in my banana blog was funded by the growth of coffee popularity and export. It was not only used for bananas but also for easy access between the Central Valley and Limon. Coffee is said to have established the base which Costa Rica stands today.

After visiting the coffee plantation tomorrow, I hope to find out more about the sustainability issues that exist within the industry.