Coffee Seminars On Location in COSTA RICA

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E-mail us info@cafebritt.com

While it is cold and snowy in the biggest coffee consuming nations to the north, Costa Rica enjoys its summer and coffee harvest season. It's a perfect time to get away to a beautiful paradise and at the same time gain a totally different perspective about coffee. Britt will provide real "hands on" experience in a well-recognized coffee-producing country. Costa Rica has one of the widest ranges of micro climates due to the drastic altitude and climate changes in relatively short distances. These differences allow visitors to experience and understand why these climatic factors attribute to flavor differences in the final cup.

The three day seminar gives an in-depth look at the three main factors that contribute to the quality of the bean: Agronomic Characteristics, Regional Differences and Processing Methods.
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Day 1
AGRONOMY

The Importance of Soils, Altitude and Climate in Coffee Production The first day of the seminar focuses on important factors in the cultivation of top quality mountain grown coffees. What makes a coffee considered Strictly Hard Bean or Hard Bean? How do soils and their nutrients affect the quality of the bean? We'll also examine the proper amount of and timing of rainfall as well as the roles of sun and shade.

Breakfast at Orquideas Inn: The day starts with a delicious breakfast at a delightful country inn in the province of Alajuela. Lush tropical fauna provides the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a Costa Rican summer morning. Get to know your group members and guides over a delicious cup of the finest Costa Rican coffee just meters from where it is actually grown.

Poás Volcano: Passing through the mountainsides covered with coffee bushes on the trip to and from the volcano invokes a first impression of the vast connection between coffee and the volcanic soils on which it thrives. At the Poás Volcano National Park, one sees the source of these soils and how their formation leads to their natural rich mineral content.

Kahle Plantation: The home of Blue Volcano coffee and their famous Cardamom coffee. Four generations of this coffee producing family have brought real expertise to the Poás region, now known as one of the best coffee producing regions in Costa Rica. Here, the visitors are welcomed by the owner of German heritage and invited to tour the grounds of this unique self-sufficient farming/milling community. On the premises are a school, church, recreational facilities and housing provided to the local workers who care for the delicate coffee plants. In addition, the visitors pass through the plantations of Cardamom and learn how it is dried, processed and finally blended with the coffee.

Depending on the time of the harvest, coffee picking will take place at either Kahle or Three Generations. Each picker will receive pay for their work in keeping with the locals. A contest will be held to determine the fastest picker of the best quality basket.

Coffee Picker's Box Lunch: Lunchtime means a picnic in the coffee fields where you will enjoy a box lunch accompanied by fresh native fruits, while enjoying a panoramic view of the Central Valley and the surrounding mountains.

Three Generations: One of the oldest mills in Costa Rica, Three Generations is family run with three generations of history dating back to the late 1800's. At its high altitude, the view enjoyed from the large sun-drying patios of Three Generations is unbeatable. Here, the attendees will come to better understand how the soils, care of the coffee trees and harvesting techniques affect the quality of the bean and the cup.

Traditional Evening: After a short visit to your hotel, the day is capped off by a delightful traditional dinner accompanied by traditional music Costa Rican style at one of Costa Rica's finest restaurants.

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Day 2

REGIONAL IMPORTANCE

Tres Ríos and Tarrazú are two of the most famous coffee growing regions of Costa Rica. The second day focuses on the differences between these regions and the Poás region in terms of the harvesting techniques, climatic factors and bean differences.


Tres Ríos:

A visit to Tres Ríos is an inviting look at the historic coffee farming and milling zone of Costa Rica where the first coffee was actually planted and produced. The youngest mills in the Tres Ríos region have one hundred year traditions.

As the urban sprawl of San José has reached Tres Ríos, many farmers have sold their farms in exchange for staggering land prices, competitive with US prices.

This was especially prevalent in the years of the coffee slump when low worldwide coffee prices contributed to low and even negative profit margins in coffee farming.

Thus the remaining farmers in this region are in the business for tradition and as a real "labor of love".

This region is home to several well known coffee brands including the Bellavista, Patalillo, La Laguna, and San Antonio mills and the Cooperativa La Unión.


Tarrazú:

Tarrazú is home to the "pioneers" of coffee growing. At the time when this region was established as a prime coffee growing area, it was the untamed frontier of Costa Rica.

Sharp mountain peaks and rugged terrain made the work of setting up coffee farms difficult and challenging for the first farmers.

At 1800 meters altitude, the climatic conditions are ideal for producing fine strictly hard beans. In fact, it is this perfect combination of natural conditions that make it nearly impossible to produce a poor crop. The region is home to many well known private growers, although the majority of the farmers belong to local cooperatives.


San José Evening:

The evening is free for attendees to dine as they wish. We will be happy to suggest restaurants and other after-dark activities to get you acquainted with the atmosphere of the capital city.

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Day 3

PROCESS and Cooperative Farming

Coopronaranjo: Coopronaranjo is by far the biggest coffee cooperative operating in Costa Rica today. With 2,300 associates, the mill is also one of Costa Rica's largest and most impressive.

An in-depth tour of the mill and explanation of the processing of the coffee cherries as it occurs bring to life a complex and intriguing procedure that before only was just an imagination.

After the tour of the mill, the visitors are invited to a discussion about cooperative farming and milling over a cup of coffee.

Afterward, a question and answer session gives participants the change to clear up any doubts they may have of the milling process or any other topic of the seminar.

Lunch at Mill Resort:

An outdoor lunch at the resort, surrounded by majestic mountains. Over lunch, participants will also have time to ask questions or bring up additional topics about coffee.

Roasting/Cupping at Café Britt:

Here, a technical view of the roasting process is followed by a professional cupping session. As the final stages of the process to which visitors have been witness, these explanations will help "tie together" the whole process. Participants will be guided through a cupping of the coffees from the farms and regions they have visited during the seminar, and be able to ask questions about the flavor differences they discover.

Coffeetour de Café Britt:

Experience the award-winning Coffeetour de Café Britt - visitors are treated to a entertaining story behind the history of coffee in Costa Rica and the world. The tour is a fun yet informative look at the origins of the drink and its evolution into one of the world's most important industries, as well as the process of coffee from the trees to the famous beverage. Traditional songs, costumes and lore make the show unique.

Turno a lo Britt:

Upon the termination of the Coffeetour, begin the festivities of the Turno a lo Britt, a typical Costa Rican country fair. You will enjoy a lively parade through our gardens, complete with costumed dancers, live traditional music, and fireworks. A delicious dinner buffet featuring Costa Rican specialties will follow, accompanied by a live "marimba" band. Finally, the festivities are capped off by dancers performing the "Punto Guanacasteco", Costa Rica's most popular folkloric dance. The Turno Britt will conclude with the final awards ceremony and presentation of seminar certificates -- the perfect way to cap off the events of the coffee seminar.

COFFEETOUR de Café Britt POST TOURS

As an enhancement to your COFFEETOUR Seminars On Location in Costa Rica experience more of this spectacular country with a choice of post tours.

TOUR A

Sunday - Wednesday

4 day/3 night extension tour includes:

3 additional nights accommodations in San José Choice of two day tours: The Rain Forest Aerial Tram Río Reventazón Whitewater Rafting Pacific Island Cruise Hotel/airport departure transfer for international flight Applicable hotel taxes and services charges.


Double Occupancy: Std $ 289, Dlx $ 459 Single Occupancy: $ 429, Dlx $ 699

TOUR B

Sunday - Wednesday

4 day/3 night extension tour to Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve and Pacific Island Cruise includes: 2 nights accommodations in Monteverde. Guided tour of Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve. Pacific Island Cruise in the Gulf of Nicoya. Transportation throughout itinerary. 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 2 dinners. 1 night accommodation in San José on evening before departure. Hotel/airport departure transfer for international flight. Applicable hotel taxes and service charges. Double

Occupancy:Std $ 449$ 499 Single Occupancy:Std 529, Dlx $ 625

TOUR C

Sunday - Thursday

5 day/4 night beach extension tour to your choice of Tamarindo Beach, Flamingo Beach or Manuel Antonio includes:
Tamarindo Beach

Double Occupancy Std $ 629, Dlx $ 679 Single Occupancy Std $ 879, Dlx $ 975


Flamingo Beach

Double Occupancy Std $ 649, Dlx $ 699 Single Occupancy Std $ 889, Dlx $ 985


Costa Verde

Double Occupancy Std $ 479, Dlx $ 529 Single Occupancy Std $ 699, Dlx $ 795

TOUR D

Sunday - Thursday

5 day/4 night extension tour with full day tour from San José to Irazú Volcano, Orosi Valley and Lankester Gardens with 2 nights excursion to Tiskita Jungle Lodge includes: Double Occupancy:Std $ 679, Dlx $ 779 Single Occupancy:Std $ 899, Dlx $ 1089

TOUR E

Sunday - Sunday

8 day/7 night extension tour to Tiskita Jungle Lodge, Monteverde Choudforest Reserve and Arenal Volcano includes:
Double Occupancy: Std $ 1149, Dlx $ 1249 Single Occupancy: Std $ 1359, Dlx $ 1549
All rates are based on per person double and single occupancy. The deluxe category is an upgrade for hotels in San José only.

Contact us

1-800-GOBRITT

Café Britt
tel.: + 506 261-0707
fax: + 506 260-1456

Coffetour
tel.: + 506 260-2748
fax: + 506 238-1848
E-mail us info@cafebritt.com

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