It is early January  in Costa Rica, and one of the busiest periods on the farm.  The pickers are in their annual race against the oncoming rainy season, which drenches the rich soil beginning in late March.  Although nearly 80 ' F in this heat of dry season; there is a cool, steady breeze.  The temperature rarely gets hotter, and never dips too far below 50 ' F at any time during the year.

This moderate climate, owed to the high altitude (5,000 feet above sea-level), creates the perfect, balanced coffee-growing environment.  A faultless balance also exists between those who work the land and the land itself.  There is a deep respect for the land here, pure and simple.  It is inherent to the people of La Minita and the surrounding, family-owned coffee farms.

The soil is considered gold for it brings forth the most precious of Costa Rican commodities-- the ripe coffee berry.  The name, La Minita, means "small (gold) mine" and can be traced to local legend that tells of pre-Colombian Indians searching for ornamental gold in the plantation soils.  


                                                                 

The unwavering climate and the steadfast, hardworking nature of the Costa Ricans are an appealing combination for any serious coffee producer.  But it was the richness of the land, the promise of its golden harvest; that first drew the McAlpin family to Costa Rica in the mid-1950s to test out their coffee-growing fortunes.