Café Para Nosotros

Today Jeff and I had what I think was the most worthwhile tour we've ever been on.  We toured a coffee "farm" in Boquete - Finca Casanga. 

We arranged to be picked up at the language school, but had no idea who would come for us.  Turns out the owner of the coffee farm was our transport!  He is a gentleman from Oregon. We're guessing he is in his late 40's.  Not what we expected.  He and his wife bought the property 11 years ago, but only moved to Panama 6 years ago.  They bought the property on a handshake, after a week long trip here. He admitted that some days he doesn't know what he's doing, but that it gets better every day!  

At the farm, we were greeted by their two very friendly dogs and Enrique, our guide for the afternoon.  Enrique apologized for his English, which was absolutely flawless.

The tour was so informative!  I call it a "farm" and not a plantation, because the property is only 2.5 acres.  They use as many organic methods as they can - ducks to keep bugs down and fertilize the soil, and larger trees to shade the coffee plants.  The only thing that keeps them from being totally organic is the treatment they use for fungus that grows on the leaves.  

Enrique led us through the entire process - from explaining the beans and when they are harvested to roasting our own "green" beans. At the end we tried different ways to make coffee.  Enrique gave us a tour of the facility - showing us where each step takes place, and having us help along the way.  

Turns out they harvest beans about 6 times during the "harvest" and each bean needs to be picked off the plant one by one.  They only harvest perfectly ripe beans, so they harvest more times than bigger plantations.  The native Panamanians are the harvesters, and are paid by the "container" (see the photo)

of beans they pick.  They do not get paid if they pick too many un-ripe beans.  Each container is checked before payment.  A talented/fast picker can make $60 a day.  The indiginous people make the majority of their income during harvest season, and big coffee plantations have housing on the property for the pickers.  They are provided everything but their food during the harvest.  

Jeff and I were introduced to a new way of brewing - a siphon brewer.  Looked like a chemistry experiment!  

Successful tour, and well worth the money!  I'd recommend to anyone else!!