Sourcing Details There is nowhere like Costa Rica when it comes to coffee cooperatives and Cooperativa de Caficultores de Dota R.L (CoopeDota), which was established in 1960, is one of the finest. It starts with an unmatched commitment to the environment. CoopeDota has a first of its kind certified carbon-neutral mill, which features hydro-powered energy consumption, water efficient eco-pulpers (also called a demucilager), and mechanical coffee dryers fueled by coffee parchment. Processing Details Costa Rica El Cedral Dota Natural AAA EP comes from El Cedral, a 24-acre model farm located in El Cedral within Dota canton. This farm is owned and operated by Cooperativa de Caficultores de Dota R.L (CoopeDota) operating in in the province of San Jose, Costa Rica. El Cedral was originally purchased as an annex for the wet mill, but over the last decade the elevation (over 1900 masl) of the parcel became prime property for growing coffee. Since then, El Cedral has served as a model farm for CoopeDota members looking for new strategies for cultivating coffee as the region's climate continues to change. At the wet mill located in El Cedral, cherries are carefully hand sorted and floated to remove less dense coffee beans and then placed on raised beds and gently dried in the sun to 11 percent moisture. Cooperative Activities CoopeDota has an equally intricate model of income diversification with a profitable agriculture supply store and tourism department dedicated to showing off coffee farms to visitors. They also roast their own coffee and operate three cafes and a cupper/barista training center. Their commitment to the environment also extends to the community of Santa Maria de Dota where the cooperative manages trash pickup for the entire town.
