Keli and I bought a farm in Costa Rica about 1 1/2 years ago.
We were looking for a place near the beach, with a waterfall and a beautiful view of the ocean.
We ended up buying a farm that didn't have a waterfall and is two hours from the beach. Later, after the dust had settled, we tried to figure out how it was we had bought something so different from our original ideas.
The simple answer - we fell in love.
This property had huge old trees in a 15 acre virgin forest, 16 acres of cacao trees that produce up to 15,000 pounds of beans a year and lots and lots of land - almost 100 acres.
After we bought the farm, we realized that we were now caretakers of a beautiful, living organism that the original owner had built up over a 50 year period. We planted fruit trees, trees for lumber and indigenous trees to reforest the pastures.
We planted vegetable gardens, cleaned up the coffee plantation and sugar cane field and started to fix up the old barn (which had doubled as an evangelical church for many years,) so we could live in it while we built a new house and yoga studio.
We installed a solar system and fixed up an old hydro-electric system that runs on a creek that originates on our property. We were happy to have reliable electricity.
This is the original generator for the hydro-electric system - it must be 50 years old!The first few months we lived on the farm, Keli washed all the clothes by hand. I now know first hand the incredible advance in civilization that a washing machine and vacuum cleaner represent!
But most of all, we were intrigued by the vast amounts of cacao beans coming out of our plantation. We were told that they were of very high quality - an this was confirmed by "cacao mystic" we met recently who told us that the cacao devas told him that we were meant to make our high quality cacao available for cacao ceremonies (more about that later.)
We started to investigate the process (really, the alchemical art) of making chocolate. And today we have machines in both Costa Rica and in California that enable us to make high quality, luscious chocolate in both places.
In fact, after extensive experimentation, we have just started selling chocolate here in California.
More later...
Hello Hasib and Keli,
ReplyDeleteAs you know we are most impressed by your chocolate, which is excellent, and of which we have consumed huge quantities in the good old days when it still was free. Having to pay for it won’t stop us to eat more of it once we get back from our trip.
You have told us a lot about your land but reading it again gives me more of an understanding of what a huge and great undertaking it is. I am impressed by the size of the land and all of the projects you guys have going.
You told us a bit about the “cacao mystic” and we are both curious to see what your cacao is destined for. Being a great visionary, as you all know, I see great things to come for your cacao, your land and you guys.
We wish you the best and await updates on your blog.
Love,
Toto and Lala
It took me a while to find it but now that I see your comment I am pleased beyond words.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Next update - sometime in 2010!
Hello Hasib & Keli,
ReplyDeleteBlessings to your cacao plantation. What great energy to be drenched in. I'm writing a kids novel about the origins of cacao, gods, westernized chocolate. I love seeing the hands on labor and love that is put into each chocolate bar. I'm interested in learning more about the "cacao mystic" and the biodynamics of your farm!
Wishing you the best,
Juliette
Wow que impreciónante! Thanks for sharing this with us! We wish you all the best of luck on each endeavor you undertake! How do we buy some of your chocolate?
ReplyDeleteHope to see you guys in late February/March. I'll be there for six weeks or so!
Que tiene suerte en la finca de ustedes!
Pura vida!
Bruce & Jennifer