Cinco Fincas

Fincas de Pacayitas y Mollones

This past weekend we spent some time in a rural area.   Rural and Foreign Country usually brings images for me of dirt floors, horses and traditional foods. Well there was traditional foods, but that is everywhere in Costa Rica, but this was  a small town with lots of agriculture and incredible people.   I lived with Patricia, and she was so sweet, and taught me how to bake (music to my ears).....I can't wait to go back.  She was not the only one with incredible hospitality, as every farm tour we went on hosted us with open arms.

1. Cafetal: Coffee Farm

This small coffee farm was run by Rosario, a single woman who dreams of catering to a specific group of people by growing, harvesting, roasting and grinding specialty coffee.  At the farm we learned about the diseases and problems with the coffee crop, the prices, harvesting, drying, roasting and of course drinking of coffee. 

2. Trapiche: Sugar Cane Farm

This was awesome, in looks, action and taste!  The couple that runs this farm allowed us to help in each process of the production.  We were able to plant sugar cane and run it through the mill.  The mill is run by a horse and the sugar cane is squeezed of all its juice through a mill of sorts.  After this process it is boiled down and made into a variety of sugary products.  We were able to taste soboa, something taken off the top that would be put out for children to keep them away from the hot boiling sugar and even some candies.  The farm specializes in Tapas de Dulce, a sweet product that is used in a variety of foods the traditional “agua de dulce”. 

 

3. Jalepeño Farm

Mery, the owner of this farm is a mother of 12, who decided to start this production on her own with some help from her husband.  They grow mostly jalepenos and other peppers with a wide variety of other vegetables.  Mery also produces value added products of jalapeño picante, and is known as “chile mery”.  She participated in a contest for women through an international institute and won a new fridge, and other kitchen ware to assist in her production. 

 

4. Mariposario: Butterfly production

At first I wasn’t sure, I am not the ‘sunshine and butterfly’ type, but it was awesome!  The butterflies were beautiful, and the production behind it was awesome.  The family started this project as a way to create tourism and jobs in their community.  We saw everything from butterfly eggs to the larvae and full butterflies.   They export the pupa, or the outside shell looking part of the butterfly, and use the large butterflies that die in necklaces and earrings to sell. 

5. Finca de Maracuya: Passion Fruit Farm

Passion fruit grows a little bit like grapes, it is grown in rows and on vines.  The juice of a passion fruit is sweet and delicious.  The husband and wife pair each run a part of this farm.  The husband, most of the planting and harvesting and the wife, value added products.  Wine and Jelly!  Muy Rico!