What if travelling and coffee were one and the same? We think that would be ideal. We’re not talking about an all-inclusive trip with unlimited coffee instead of booze, although that wouldn’t be bad either…but that’s an idea for another post.
Ivan Suares Procel from Riolindo Coffee Lodge in Intag, Ecuador, came to visit us after his friends told him about us. Once we got to talking, we found out that he provides agrotourism services. His concept was so unique that we travelled to Intag so that we could share it with you.
Ivan helped us realize that we hardly ever think about how our coffee makes its way to our cups. So we started really thinking about the origins of our morning pick-me-ups. After all, it takes a lot of work to get this vital beverage all the way to a café.
Behind every cup of coffee, there’s a long process that starts with planting and harvesting. There’s nothing simple about growing coffee in Intag at 1830 meters above sea level.
“Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and pests are threatening the cool mountainsides which this high-altitude, bean-based crop needs to flourish. [...] As a result, coffee farmers are struggling to survive.”
Source: Rikolto.org
Environmental conditions can sometimes be problematic and working conditions on plantations are often less than ideal. These farmers don’t exactly get to work in air-conditioned offices from nine to five.
However, Riolindo Coffee Lodge is part of an organization (Asociación Agroartesanal de Caficultores Rio Intag) working to create a system that fosters quality of life and dignity among coffee farming families. It’s hard work, but it means a lot to the people of Intag.
Not everyone can do this work or even attempt it. Ivan Suares Procel provides people the opportunity to be a student for a day, or several days, at his coffee plantation in Ecuador. It’s a chance to walk in the shoes of the people that make your morning coffee possible.
Riolindo Coffee Lodge can accommodate several people at a time. Located just a few minutes from the city, the lodge has various packages and tours to choose from. You can visit and work at the plantations, or even go discover Ecuador’s rich biodiversity. The lodge is very close to the Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve where you can find a wide variety of species and ecosystems.
This trip makes for an extraordinary adventure that’s both unique and rewarding. Experiencing a farmer’s day-to-day activities can literally change the way you see coffee. Seeing the entire production process of such a ‘simple’ everyday product, with your own eyes, can really change your perspective. You’ll never look at coffee the same way again, and you’ll probably be more grateful for each sip.
One of the questions that coffee experts probably hear the most is:“What’s the difference between Arabica and Robusta?” The two types of coffee plants are at opposite ends of the spectrum, and by blending the two together, we can achieve the best of both worlds.
