I was really looking forward to dazzling my palate with the Central American coffee I knew and loved from home. As we entered Guatemala, I sat there drooling, thinking of all the wonderful treats I was about to consume.
There is one thing horribly wrong with that thought:
Almost all the drinkable coffee made in Central America is exported to other parts of the world – for companies like Starbucks – and the people here don’t even get to enjoy it.
The coffee I had had for the past 4 months had been kerosene like, watery, crap coffee I would never wish upon my worst enemy… until…
Here is my love letter to Rio Coco Beans Cafe, Utila, Honduras:
Dear Rio Coco,
Have I ever told you that you saved me? Like, seriously. You have the best coffee and other products I have had in thousands of miles.
I’m being serious. I have other people attesting to the fact as well.
I think Nicaraguan coffee has become my favorite.
Also, how freaking cool is it that you support local children in Miskito section of Honduras? It is so incredibly refreshing to meet people that not only believe in their product but truly believe in the cause they are supporting.
Oh, and you have the best breezeway on the island. It is a shame I never got to check out your seats on the dock. I think I would be stuck there forever if this is the case.
Thank you guys again for making the best coffee within countries.
Erica
But really, these guys are awesome. Mike and Laura not only learn the names of darn near everyone that comes into the shop, but actually have conversations with you.
If you would like to learn more about Project Ezra and what you can do to help, check out the Rio Coco Beans website.
Also, Laura asked for a special request (and I agree too) – ask Lonely Planet to add these guys to their future editions of Central America on a Shoestring or the Honduras book. They totally deserve the exposure.
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Disclosure: I did NOT receive anything for this post. I genuinely believe in these guys and think they deserve all the success in the world.
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I was impressed as well with how they make an effort to learn everyone’s name, find out things about them, and remember those details when you come back later. It’s definitely a casual atmosphere where it’s easy to relax. Nice of you to spread the word!
Cool! I love beans from Central America, especially Costa Rican stuff. I did not know that it’s almost 100% exported though.
I love shout outs for deserving places, and this certainly sounds like one.
isn’t that Crazy!! that happens all over the world. they end up exporting their fine local products. the sad thing is that a lot of it is related to world bank debts. i have researched this recently and found that most of these countries owe so much in debt that they Have to export the one or two things that the US or Europe want…they end up having to use Most of their land to produce these exports and THEN have to Import (as is required of them) their produce etc. so….in the scheme of things they have to grow what other people want, and then Import their food…even though they might be able to grow it themselves for cheaper. it’s all debt related! auhg….and Crazy if you ask me. i guess you are getting to experience that first hand…. the same thing happened in cuba during the russian occupation/friendship. they were forced to grow tobacco and cane for export and to import their food. thus…when russia pulled out, the cuban economy collapsed and it took them more than a decade to Re-gear their agricultural policies…which they Still struggle with. okokok…point made. Sad… and Awesome that these folks are supporting local industry and local residents!! YAY! 🙂
@Talon: It really stuck with me! That and even if I’m not 100% behind their beliefs, I am really impressed by what they have accomplished.
@Evan: I’ll have to check out the CR beans myself. I’m a coffee lover and it is depressing how crappy the coffee is here.
@Heather: I rarely do it because I don’t want to sound like a commercial all the time but sometimes places are just magical in their own way. I have a photo essay of another place coming out on Wednesday!
@Jasmine: It is really frustrating to know that all these fruits and veggies here are sad and pitiful looking when I know they produce good products. <3 I'm always stoked when people are able to help communities like this. So important!
What a cool post! Great coffee and supporting a good cause. How can you go wrong?
I know how hard it is to get really good coffee in many parts of Latin America due to the exportation of it. When I lived in Ecuador, I suffered. A lot.
When I was traveling in Panama recently, I went on a great coffee tour in Boquete and got my hands on the good stuff. PS: The guy who led the tour was indigenous and grew up in the world of coffee. That made my tour so much better!
@Lisa: I just wish that you could drink the good stuff without going on a tour. I’m hoping to do that exact thing when we get to CR.
I felt the same way in South America! Where has all the coffee gone?! To the US of A. I had to actually be in the coffee region of Colombia on a finca to find something besides instant coffee! But, I do have to say I am getting good at making instant coffee taste good. When I find a “real” cup of Joe I’m always beside myself. Just fyi same goes for Africa. Well, at least East Africa!
@Alisha: It is quite frustrating that you have to go on a tour to get a cup of joe!
We now travel with our own coffee and a thermos/french press thingy. You can never assume otherwise amazing nations will have a clue about coffee and it’s indeed true that most coffee producers export the best of their goods.
I had a similar coffee farm fall in love experience in northern Oahu, Hawaii, at a place called Island X/Old Sugar Factory. Like you, I have no relationship with them, but they are so deserving of more love. They are real people, a real family, supporting themselves and their community one pounds at a time.
This post was especially timely as it’s currently “free small coffee” week at McDonald’s in Canada. I’m avoiding it and going to support some independent cafes that purchase direct from family farms like the ones mentioned here.
I think that if we do another big stint that we will consider carrying a french press. I can’t go without it anymore. It is a lifesource and I do love supporting small farms. Thanks for commenting guys!