Uncover the finest coffee trips around the world and find out how coffee has had an effect on the destiny of countries. It may seem improbable, but coffee has an astonishing effect. What is the origin of our coffee drinking?
It is difficult to discover the reality of many things in life. The mystery of coffee’s beginning is not as popular as the subject of the Bermuda Triangle or Bigfoot, yet it has originated a comparable number of conjectures. It is widely agreed that coffee was first found in Ethiopia in the year 800 A.D. Shepherds who tended goats observed that their animals grew more lively after consuming the berries of the coffee plant. They took a sample of the beans and examined them for themselves. The rest is history.
In the olden times, maybe to pay tribute to the courageous goats, people did not drink coffee but rather munched on it. The story goes that the invention of drinking coffee was from a monk’s idea of utilizing the beans.
The monk was onto something. Coffee has become the second most commonly-exchanged good around the globe, following oil.
Coffee is known for another unique attribute…it was the very first item to be processed with freeze drying. This enabled the Allied forces of World War II to enjoy a hot beverage in the heat of battle.
TANZANIA
Seated on the slopes of Mt. Moshi, a city in Tanzania, is the center of the nation’s coffee production. Budget Safari Tanzania allows you to personally be a part of coffee cultivation from planting to picking, at a small coffee plantation. Adventures Within Reach offers a 3 hour venture through a Moshi farm that incorporates a delightful lunch and a jaunt to the close-by market. An additional key coffee-cultivating area in Tanzania can be found in Arusha, where some of the biggest coffee estates in East Africa can be discovered. Wild Things Safaris have designed an excursion that permits you to experience the time-honored tools and appliances that are still being employed in the process of coffee cultivation today. A trip to Tanzania is not finished without scaling lofty Kilimanjaro or going on exciting safaris at Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Take a break in the calming atmosphere on the shore of Zanzibar, sample some food inspired by Indian culture, and acquire an attractive kanga cloth as a remembrance.
KENYA
Fairview Estate is situated in the middle of the Kenyan Highlands. The Riara River sitting at an altitude of 5700 feet, plus its associated waterways, water the massive farm that produces beloved coffee that is an iconic component of Kenyan coffee. This coffee destination is a must-visit due to its spectacular natural environment containing lush vegetation and a beautiful waterfall. You should definitely check out the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottages. If you are familiar with Karen Blixen’s autobiography Out of Africa or if you watched the motion picture based on it, then this will be a special location to see. You’ll have the opportunity to be guided through the bright estate and museum, as well as savor some excellent coffee and delectable food in a gorgeous natural environment. Kenya is home to some of the best safari experiences and wildlife preserves in the continent of Africa. Places that are featured are the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Samburu Reserve, and Mount. Kenya National Park. Head on over to Giraffe Manor to get a glimpse of the threatened Rothschild giraffes and make sure to visit Kitum Cave to view the elephants. Going outside involves different excursions such as walking, bicycling, voyages in ships, scuba diving, surfing, and air balloons rides. Nairobi, the capital, features an amazing nightlife with lots of clubs and pubs, plus local markets to get unique mementos.
UGANDA
Mountain Gorilla Coffee Tours, a locally operated travel agency, is committed to sustaining development in the Kisoro area of Uganda and advancing the local population through agriculture tourism. They offer trips of either nine or twelve days that not only include a visit to a coffee farm but also trips to wildlife preserves showcasing gorillas, rhinos, lions, chimpanzees, and other rare animals. People should also look at Bulansuku Coffee Farm Estates and 1000 Cups Coffee House.
RWANDA
In Rwanda, the Huye Mountain Coffee tour provides a three-hour excursion at a cost of $50 per individual. You can take another tour along the picturesque Lake Kivu and enjoy a full tour of the journey of coffee from being grown to eventually being served at a charming spot situated along the lake. During your stay, consider taking a detour to Volcanoes National Park. You have the option to learn traditional Rwandan drumming, dance, and cooking through classes.
Panama
Boquete, a locality situated in Panama, is acclaimed for its production of top quality, expensive coffee beans. Panama has some of the finest coffee tours in the world. Boquete is in the western part of Panama, not far from Volcán Barú, the highest peak in Panama.
In Boquete, the majority of Panama’s coffee is cultivated, the Geisha coffee included. Lately, it has become famous worldwide as the costliest coffee on the market. A cup in Panama will set you back US$10, whereas in other countries the same cup would cost at least twice as much. In Dubai, a cup of something will cost approximately 70 American dollars. This product retails for more than $600 a pound all over the world and has been earning many accolades for the past few years.
Panama’s Famous Geisha Coffee
The Geisha bean originates in Ethiopia. Through the passage of time, coffee farmers expanded their plots in Central America without drawing much attention. This would change in the early 2000s. A variety of coffee blight known as “leaf rust” caused extensive damage to Panama’s coffee crop. The Geisha proved to be immune to this disease. Without anyone else to depend on, coffee growers devoted a lot of attention to picking the Geisha. The owners soon realized they were onto something big.
Geisha coffee has a unique flavor, delicate and floral. Unlike other coffees, it’s neither bitter nor sour. In recent times, Geisha has gained major popularity on a global scale. Other nations have attempted to cultivate Geisha, yet without achieving the same level of success. The optimal growth of the plant is in the fertile, volcanic earth of the Boquete region located in Panama.
You can experience various coffee tours in Boquete. You have the opportunity to explore the coffee farms and observe the cultivation and collection procedures. A specialist will guide you through each step of the selection and handling process. The tours end with an enjoyable sampling of food while looking out at the jungle setting.
Colombia
Colombia has an ideal climate for growing coffee. Good coffee production relies on volcanic soil, elevation, and an absence of frost. Fortunately, Colombia has all three. The immense size of Colombia leads to different types of coffee that can be found there. Every region has their own special mixture of coffee that is based on the soil in which the beans were grown.
For a long time, Colombia has been a major producer of high-quality coffee, but only recently have these top-quality coffees become widely accessible throughout the country. Small farms have set up stores and cafes that offer the most excellent blends to the people of Colombia. This profitable venture has had a notable benefit. It’s freed them from the drug trade. Prior to coffee cultivation, numerous agriculturists were only able to make a living by growing coca and poppy for the drug trafficking organizations.
Bogotá is a great destination for all the coffee enthusiasts out there, as it is a place where a burgeoning number of coffee cafés are popping up, and where you can find coffee tours. Companies have been providing guidance to people when visiting the multiple coffee stands, and baristas are demonstrating how they prepare the coffee. You will be given advice on how to savor the taste.
A Coffee Theme Park
In Colombia, there exists a theme park devoted to coffee known as Parque Nacional del Café. Free-thinking coffee plantation owners hit on a novel combination. The park is composed of things such as water rides, thrill-inducing rides, and booths that offer interesting information on coffees. When you’re feeling tired and bored of routine facts, take a break and go on a thrilling ride to shake off the mental fatigue. After taking a break, you can go back to discovering the background of coffee in Colombia.
The Colombian countryside is worth experiencing. Colombia allows you to acquire direct experience of the procedure of cultivating coffee by taking a trip to the hilltop coffee plantations. Furthermore, some of these plantations supply lodgment. Coffee tours are an excellent way to admire the scenery. Hills provide a great viewpoint from which it is possible to take in a wide and sweeping view.
Costa Rica
Costa Ricans refer to their coffee as the “golden bean.” Costa Rica is renowned for producing excellent coffee, but also is at the forefront of other fields. It has been against the law to cultivate inferior beans in Costa Rica since 1989. This implies that every coffee you purchase from this nation has a guarantee of excellence. Costa Rica takes a progressive and committed stance towards the protection of the environment. All beans are handpicked and hand-produced. No methods employed are damaging or polluting to the environment. Costa Rica is a strong advocate for organic coffee, with coffee plantations in the country producing an abundance of organic café annually.
The majority of Costa Rica’s best coffee is sold on the international market, however, if you come to Costa Rica on a coffee-tasting tour, you will still have the chance to sample many excellent local products. There are two outstanding tours situated near San Jose.
HAWAII
Hawaii is the birthplace of Kona coffee, which is considered to be one of the finest coffees from around the globe. Visiting Mountain Thunder near Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii is essential, as it is one of the largest coffee farms on the island. Free tours are provided hourly, and you can also participate in a tasting of their highly revered coffee. Definitely make sure to check out Kona Coffee Living History Farm, a unique spot that can’t be found anywhere else in the US. Visitors can experience a stroll through the coffee plantations and watch actors in native apparel re-creating the traditional lifestyle of their predecessors. Other sites that are great to check out include Kona Joe, Koa Coffee Plantation, Hula Daddy, and Ka’u Coffee Mill. If you are looking for an even more exhilarating experience, plan to attend the Kona Coffee Festival, where there are lots of things to explore, such as Hawaii’s coffee production, traditional dancing, accompanied by music and parades, along with a variety of food. You can explore Waialua Estate on Oahu, embark on an excursion to Ka’anapali Estate on Maui, and visit Molokai Coffee Plantation on Molokai on other Hawaiian islands. Without a doubt, Hawaii’s beaches are enviable, and its traditional hula dances and luaus are held in high esteem.
MEXICO
Finca El Pacifico, located in the Huatulco area of Mexico, is a certified organic coffee farm that features greenhouses filled with coffee sprouts, along with a tour of the farm (said without a pun). Huatulco has wonderful beaches, activities like kayaking and sailing, golf courses, art galleries, and attractions with a historical significance.
JAMAICA
The Blue Mountain Peak in Jamaica surpasses 7000 feet in altitude. The high elevation and rich volcanic dirt produce a tasty cup of coffee that is extremely sought after around the world. When you visit Alex Twyman’s Old Blue Mountain Coffee Estate, you will have the fortunate opportunity to sample some amazing coffee as well as taking in the lovely scenery. One can experience even more of the mountain with walking paths and bicycle tours. You should have a look at Jamaica’s stunning beach locations and the Bob Marley Museum.
COSTA RICA
In Costa Rica, the seaside village of Puerto Viejo possesses some mini coffee plantations that can be explored. If you have a craving for a sugary treat, you can get your fix at Caribeans Coffee and Chocolate. Apart from offering good coffee, they also have a factory producing delicious chocolate.
GUATEMALA
The region of the western Highlands in Guatemala is the center of the nation’s coffee industry. Filadelfia Coffee Resort offers many enjoyable activities, such as a beloved coffee tour and paintball, as well as bird watching, mountain biking, and mule rides. At As Green As It Gets, you can get a firsthand look into the day-to-day activities of a coffee farmer in Guatemala on a special coffee tour. Take a trip to unearth the age-old culture of the Maya world with Tours Atitlan’s tours of the areas surrounding Lake Atitlan.
EL SALVADOR
One can observe the conventional process of producing Ataco coffee at El Carmen Hotel and Coffee Resort in El Salvador. El Salvador Custom Tours provides an expedition focused on coffee and cocoa, while Puerto Barillas Marina & Lodge arranges an itinerary which takes in the fantastic views of the mountains, volcanoes, villages, and markets. Furthermore, travelers can enjoy thrilling activities such as mountain biking, horseback riding, zip-lining, and ATV tours.
NICARAGUA
At Hacienda El Progreso at Café Las Flores, visitors can enjoy coffee tours in Nicaragua that will provide an array of fun experiences, such as soaring across zip lines and trekking up the stunning Mombacho volcano in addition to touring the coffee farm. Matagalpa Tours provides journeys ranging in duration from a few hours to two days, and also provides opportunities for nature walks and tours of sustainable farms.