Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Costa Rica lies a coffee lover's paradise — Doka Estate. Renowned for its rich history, meticulous cultivation practices, and unparalleled flavors, Doka Estate stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of coffee. In this article, we embark on a journey to uncover the secrets behind Doka Estate coffee, exploring its origins, cultivation methods, and the distinctive characteristics that make it a cherished gem among coffee aficionados worldwide.
Doka Estate's story begins over a century ago when the Vargas family embarked on a mission to cultivate exceptional coffee in the fertile soils of Alajuela, Costa Rica. Established in 1908 by the visionary Don Amado Vargas Castro, Doka Estate quickly gained recognition for its commitment to quality and sustainability. Passed down through generations, the estate remains a testament to the enduring passion and dedication of the Vargas family to produce some of the finest coffee the region has to offer.
At the heart of Doka Estate's success lies a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable farming practices and traditional cultivation methods. Spanning over 700 acres of prime coffee-growing land, the estate meticulously nurtures its Arabica coffee plants, leveraging the region's optimal climate and altitude to produce beans of exceptional quality. From handpicking ripe cherries to sun-drying them on raised beds, every step of the cultivation process is carefully orchestrated to preserve the inherent flavors and nuances of the coffee beans.
Once harvested, the coffee cherries undergo a meticulous processing journey that further enhances their flavor profile. At Doka Estate, both wet and dry processing methods are employed, each tailored to extract the unique characteristics of the beans. Whether it's the bright acidity of a washed coffee or the fruity undertones of a natural process, every cup of Doka Estate coffee encapsulates the essence of Costa Rica's terroir in its purest form.
What sets Doka Estate coffee apart is its remarkable diversity of flavor profiles, each influenced by factors such as varietal, altitude, and processing method. From the vibrant citrus notes of a Caturra grown at higher elevations to the chocolatey richness of a Catuai processed through the honey method, there's a coffee to tantalize every palate. Whether you prefer a bold espresso or a smooth pour-over, Doka Estate offers a sensory journey like no other, inviting you to savor the nuances with each sip.
Beyond its commitment to quality, Doka Estate is dedicated to fostering sustainability and empowering local communities. Through initiatives such as rainforest conservation, waste reduction, and educational programs, the estate strives to minimize its environmental footprint and promote social responsibility. By supporting Doka Estate coffee, consumers not only indulge in an exceptional coffee experience but also contribute to the preservation of Costa Rica's natural heritage and the well-being of its people.
In the world of specialty coffee, Doka Estate stands as a shining example of excellence, tradition, and sustainability. From its humble beginnings to its status as a global icon, the estate continues to captivate coffee enthusiasts with its exceptional beans and rich cultural heritage. With each cup of Doka Estate coffee, you embark on a sensory journey that transcends borders, connecting you to the land, the people, and the timeless tradition of Costa Rican coffee craftsmanship.
You can purchase Doka Estate coffee right from popscc.com
Doka Estate has garnered several certifications and accolades for its dedication to sustainability and community impact. These certifications often include organic and Rainforest Alliance certifications, indicating the estate's adherence to environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices. Furthermore, Doka Estate has received recognition from industry organizations and awards for its efforts in promoting sustainable coffee farming, preserving biodiversity, and supporting local communities in Costa Rica.
Looking ahead, Doka Estate remains committed to continuous improvement and innovation in its coffee production and sustainability initiatives. While specific details of future plans may vary, the estate continues to explore ways to enhance its farming practices, improve efficiency in processing methods, and further reduce its environmental footprint. Additionally, Doka Estate remains actively engaged in community development projects, such as educational programs and infrastructure improvements, aimed at empowering local communities and fostering long-term sustainability in the region.
We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
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11/2/22 (Wednesday)
Thankful Celebration at Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital. (Orchard Entrance)
Time: 2p-5p
Time: 11a-4p
11/17- 11/19 (Thursday-Saturday)Saturday 12p-9p
12/1/22 (Thursday)
Mistletoe Market Christmas in Plymouth
Time: 12p-9p
Times: 5p-8p
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When you have your first cup of coffee in the morning, do you ever just crave a slice of cake for breakfast? Or a piece of that banana bread sitting on your counter? Let's be real here, we’ve all been there and probably done that! And honestly, it just totally hits the spot! Ever wonder why? Well, some deserts enhance your coffee because they help pull out flavors that pair so great with the type of coffee you may be drinking.
Similar to wine, coffee is unique in that they all differ in taste, depending from which region they come from. It's considered an artisan drink since it has such a broad range of flavors and characteristics. Yes, coffee tastes amazing with your dessert, but it can taste just as good while having salty foods like eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast.
Each coffee has its own unique taste profile, and I’m here to help you pair your coffee with foods that can raise your coffee drinking experience to a whole new level!
Here are some pairing ideas to try out at home with your guests!
Chocolate
White chocolate pairs great with Costa Rican, Columbian and Yeman coffees, for milk chocolate, anything from Africa, Kona, Columbia and Sumatra will pair well. Dark chocolate tastes amazing with any Indonesian, Ethiopian, Guatemalan and Brazilian coffee. Try Daniela’s Espresso Blend with a piece of dark chocolate!
Fruits
Berries like strawberries and raspberries taste good with Kenyan or Haitian coffees while blueberries are good with a Jamaican or Yeman.
Peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, cherries and oranges go well with coffees from Costa Rica, Uganda, Rwanda, Nicaragua, Honduras and Tanzania.
Sweet breads and loaf cakes
Banana breads go great with a Kona or Kenyan coffees.
Zucchini bread tastes good with our Columbian Supremo blend. My favorite, Death by chocolate zucchini bread, is to die for with our Sumatra Mandheling or Pops House Blend!
Lemon loaf bread also taste good with Yeman or an Ethiopian. But I also like it with our smooth and mild Columbian coffee as well.
Wheat and multigrain breads
Light and medium roasted coffees from South America pair well with wheat and grain breads.
Danishes
Cheese danishes go really good with a latte or a café au late. Fruit danishes are great with coffees that have a fruity undertone, like Mexican, or Ethiopian.
Moșocoarne (Romanian danish) are so good with our Daniela's Espresso Blend.
Biscotti's
Depending on the flavor or variety of your biscotti, it can be served with all kinds of coffees, especially espresso drinks like a latte or cappuccino to dip it in!
Sweet pastries, cookies, doughnuts and cakes
These can also go with just about any coffee! But in my opinion, our Pops House Blend is my favorite to have with a doughnut. Just hits the spot!
Oatmeal cookies taste good with an Ethiopian or Columbian coffee.
Carrot cake, (which is my favorite) I love pairing that with our Costa Rican Doka Estate. Drink it black, so you can fully appreciate the flavor notes without the added sweetness since the cake is sweet already. The combination is just perfection!
Cheese, creams, and butter
Try pairing bolder coffees from Sumatra, Papa New Guinea, Kona, India or Java with savory foods.
American style breakfasts and Omelets
Bacon, eggs and hash browns will honestly go with any medium roast coffee! Next time though, try it with our Costa Rican Doka Estate. It is one of my favorite coffees to have with this kind of breakfast!
Omelets taste great when drinking a Sumatra or Indonesian coffee.
So whatever coffee and food pairings you decide to do, you won't be disappointed! There are so many options to choose from to try out with family and friends! Not to mention they'll be so impressed by your creativity and knowledge!
Experiment and get as creative as you can with your offerings and let me know what your favorite pairings are! I would love to hear some ideas and try them out too!
]]>It is taking coarsely ground coffee and letting it steep at room temperature with water for anywhere from 12-24 hours. This slow infusion will pull all the great flavors that you love out of your coffee beans and leave behind the bitterness that normally brewing with hot water can sometimes produce. Leaving you with a very smooth and almost sweet tasting coffee.
The most common ratio used for this method is 1:4, using 1 cup of grounds to 4 cups of water. I've had others that were a 1:1, 1:6, and even an 1:10 ratio! Depending on how light or how strong you want it, this can be adjusted to fit your taste. Today I'll be using a 1:6 ratio with a 16 hour steep time
I am using my Ovalware Cold Brew Maker that I got from Amazon. Also a french press would work for this too, but honestly, anything with a spout for easy pouring is fine. A pitcher or extra large mason jar will do great as well.
Filtered water is key! It will give your coffee a cleaner, sweeter flavor.
Coarsely ground coffee. As to what type of coffee or roast to use, it all depends on what your preferences are. I’ve come to realize that using a light or medium roast will bring out a bright, smooth and refreshing taste! Darker roasted coffees tend to come out with a darker, almost chocolaty flavor that leans towards syrupy feel. So depending on your taste preferences, I’d start out with one of your favorite coffee beans and go from there! Today I'll be using our Columbian Supremo.
Make sure the beans are ground coarse enough. They should feel like and look similar to cornmeal or coarse sand when rubbed between your fingers. If you grind the beans too fine, you get a gritty, muddy feel that can be over-extracted and give you a bitter taste.
Cheesecloth, flour sack cloth or any type of large paper filter for straining if you aren't using a brewer that comes with a filter.
Step 1. Grind your beans to a coarse setting. 1c comes to about 3oz if you are measuring with a scale. | |
Step 2. Place your grounds in the mesh filter and insert the filter into the pitcher.
For non-brewer option, place your ground straight into a pitcher or large mason jar. |
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Step 3. Pour 6 cups of filtered water through the top of the grounds to seep through into the pitcher. This helps to ensure proper saturation of all the ground coffee and will keep the grounds from floating up as the water level goes higher. Non-brewer option, pour the water over the coffee grounds to ensure saturation and stir with a long spoon to ensure there are no clumps |
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Step 4. Pop on your lid (or Saran Wrap) and set aside on the counter. Set your timer for 12-24 hours, depending on how long you want it to brew. I set mine to 16 hours as I find that to be a pretty good brew time. Not too dark, with a sweet smooth body. |
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Step 5. Once your timer goes off, pull up your filter and let the excess water drip down, then remove completely and replace your lid! Non-brewer option, take your cheese cloth and place in a mesh strainer. Set over a large bowl to catch all the grounds as you pour out your cold brew mixture. Once its strained, gather up the ends of your cheese cloth and squeeze out any excess liquid. Pour cold brew into a sealable jar or pitcher. |
Your cold brew should last you 7-10 days stored in the fridge.
Depending on how strong your brew is, it can be cut with water to dilute it by using 1 part cold brew to 1 part filtered water. Also tastes great with creamer or milk!!
On the Rocks Cold Brew
Cold Brew Caramel Macchiato
Another really cool idea you can do with cold brew is make ice cubes with them! For those who love the strong taste without diluting you cup with ice, freeze some in an ice tray for your perfect cup of bold and smooth cold brew!
It might take you a couple tries to perfect your favorite recipe of cold brew. So don't be discouraged, everyone's taste varies! if you want a stronger, bolder brew, use a darker roast. Or use a medium, roast but let it steep the full 24 hours. If it's too dark, add a bit of water and/or creamer to dilute to your taste.
Let me know what you think and share how you made your cold brew! We'd love to hear your ideas!!
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