Cacao Sourcing in Costa Rica
We just got back from a very successful trip to an amazing farm in the Puntarenas region of Costa Rica. Perched high atop a hill just outside the town of Cotu Brus, this 96 acre farm is planted with ten acres of classic Trinitario cacao.
The main house at Coto Brus.
The owner of Cotu Brus farm doesn’t live there full time, but the trees are carefully tended by a small group of local farmers. They are able to supplement the income they make from their own farms and also use the open pasture to graze their cattle.
Cacao trees with new growth (red leaves).
The fermentation and drying facility needs some updating, but with the guidance of cacao master Dan O’Doherty of Cacao Services this farm produces some of the most flavorful cacao you’ll taste anywhere. In fact, this was the sixth cacao given an Heirloom designation by the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund and remains the only entry to receive a unanimous vote from the panel.
We loved our trip to the farm and will soon be roasting up the samples we took back with us. After we test different roast profiles we’ll see if this cacao will be a good addition to the Goodnow Farms lineup. Stay tuned!
And, be sure to follow us on Instagram @goodnowfarms for updates on our cacao sourcing trips. We’re heading to Nicaragua next!