Calling all coffee lovers!
4 destinations to inspire your coffee habit
I drink my fair share of coffee, not necessarily for the caffeine fix, but because it transports me to faraway lands when sipping and smelling and perfecting different brews. I always search for coffee shops first when planning travels as I believe that’s where you will find (and feel like) a local. Coffee brings people together. Bonus if it’s a crafty, third wave, local roaster who works with sustainable farmers…I’m sold!
Years ago when I started becoming more conscious of where my beans were coming from and how they were handled I wanted to go directly to the source. It was on a trip to Costa Rica where, after spending time touring coffee farms, that my eyes were opened to the process it takes to bring this incredible seed to life in a cup and the impact it has on the local economy. I can still mentally transport myself every time I sip a cup of Costa Rican coffee.
Are you a coffee lover too? Have you ever been curious where it comes from, how it’s processed, or what the plantations look like? Adding coffee tours, tastings, or experiences to a trip is a fun, enlightening way to learn more about this precious food group (yep, in my eyes coffee is a food group) and gain a deeper appreciation for that morning cup. So, maybe a coffee fueled trip is in your future?
Here are a 4 destinations to inspire you:
Costa Rica
The coffee culture here goes deep and is one of the most important industries to this country. The high altitude and volcanic soils give way to providing ideal growing conditions for the plant. The coffee berries are all harvested by hand, which represents the respect and desire for quality they have for this precious plant. Head to the mountains of the central valley for the best, family run farms and some organic ones as well.
Colombia
While Colombian coffee might be the most well-known coffee here stateside and the third largest exporter of beans there is a lot more to Colombian coffee to experience. On a trip to Colombia you must make time to experience coffee tours, not only to the farms, but also the burgeoning group of third wave coffee shops popping up all over. A farm tour gives you an authentic human experience to this rich bean as you walk along the pickers, learn about harvesting, fermentation, and of course tasting. Any trip to Colombia must involve one of the experiential coffee tours – Farm to Coffee shop.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the known birthplace of the precious Arabica bean. They are known to produce one of the highest amounts of coffee yet export only about half. Which goes to show how deeply rooted coffee is in the history and culture of this country. Coffee in Ethiopia is wholly a social experience enjoyed with friends…you will have no trouble finding a brew anywhere you go. But don’t get picky, it’s enjoyed black. Tours of the coffee farms will be adventurous and leave you with a greater appreciation for the history and cultivation of the bean.
Vietnam
The coffee bean was first introduced to Vietnam by the French in 1857 which has influenced it’s dark, robust roasting styles. Vietnamese coffee is typically brewed in a Phin – a small tin cup that fits over a larger mug. It is brewed slow and strong, resembling an espresso. I recommend making your trip to Vietnam a complete foodie experience, starting in Ho Chi Minh city. Explore the coffee shop culture, food crawl, and markets. Then head out to the Dalat region for a relaxing coffee farm experience and take in the gorgeous landscapes.
P.S. I wholly recommend supporting the ethical farming and distribution of coffee by purchasing fair trade/sustainable/organic/small farm beans. Or talk to your local roaster about how they source their beans to learn more. Have questions or want to chat more? I am all for conversation – as long as we make a cuppa first.