One of the components of Breakfast Blend is Costa Rican coffee that we buy from the Vargas family in the Central Valley of Costa Rica in Alajuela. On the horizon rises the majestic form of Poas, the world's largest volcanic crater. Against this impressive backdrop is set Doka, the garden-like estate that has been lovingly farmed by the same family for four generations.

The Vargas family has struck the perfect balance between tradition and technological progress. On any given day, Don Rodrigo Vargas is just as likely to be found examining the results of his most recent agricultural experiment as he is overseeing the century-old ritual of drying coffee on Doka's sun-bathed patios. The Vargas family is involved in sugar, dairy, and coffee. There are 6 families on 32 farms totaling over 1000 acres, 22% of which is conserved and 60% is in shade-grown coffee. There are three mills, 278 full—time employees, and 3,100 coffee pickers.

In March 2008, our own Lindsey Bolger, Director of Coffee Sourcing and Relationships, was invited to Doka to cup (a rigorous and objective form of sensory evaluation) some of their fine coffee. As we've been buying from the Vargas family for years, a number of our employees have visited, including Deb Crowther, one of our cuppers and green bean buyer. While Don Rodrigo hasn't visited yet, his daughter Natalie came to our plant in Waterbury, VT, in the fall of 2007.