This culinary adventure takes place in Monteverde, starting with an introduction to the history of coffee in Costa Rica, including its cultural and economic importance. In the process, you'll examine the life cycle of a coffee plant from seed to plant to fruit. You'll learn how farmers pick coffee cherries and hear about the workers who immigrate to the country during harvest season. If you're visiting when coffee cherries are ready to be selected (from November through February), you can pick a few yourself!

Next, you'll learn how farmers remove the pulp from the coffee cherry and then wash and separate it. Finally, on the drying patio, you'll see how Costa Rica's hot, dry climate helps the coffee beans to dry naturally in the sun while spread out on a large terrace.

Your next stop is the warehouse, where workers sort the coffee beans into large fiber sacks that allow the beans to breathe and complete their aging process. This is also where the selection of coffee beans, the roasting, and the packaging of the coffee takes place.

At the end of the tour, try a deliciously fresh cup of coffee at the onsite restaurant.  

This experience also includes a visit to the chocolate processing center. Here, you'll participate in the chocolate-making process and learn how farmers convert small cocoa beans into delicious chocolate. Then, discover the traditional methods behind roasting and grinding the beans while tasting a range of tasty chocolates.

Finally, you'll learn about the importance of sugar cane in Costa Rica. Your guide will help you extract sugar cane using a traditional press, and you'll enjoy a glass of pure sugar cane juice. A sweet ending to a lovely tour!

Discover more cultural excursions in Costa Rica and more experiences in Monteverde.