Coffee

Okay,

This deserves its own post. For the last year and a half I have been asking everyone who is coming in and out of the country to mule some coffee with them (thanks Jo). You see, here we cannot buy it - nowhere in Guyana! On our trips to Suriname, we can sometimes unearth a pack or two, but that is all. We are indeed in the last days...

Well - imagine our shock and horror at learning that not only does Guyana have coffee plantations, a sister owns one and another owns a factory. They process and export the coffee, but never does it touch the lips of a resident of this fair land. 

It was such a lovely smell. The sister gave us a huge sample bag and I am now in talks to hook up a supply to Berbice, through a brother who sells in the market. Good times ahead!

Pay attention now:

These, my friends, are the where the magic begins. The red beans on the right are the coffee beans in their natural state. I am not sure why the ones on the left were dried, as I dont think they are used like that... not sure... not a good start

The beans are put through the first machine that strips the skin and they make a lovely big pile

Their now naked selves waiting for a make-over

Then they are planed in this sun-bed to dry

Once dried, (perhaps the black ones up top) they are placed in this roaster. It was amazing to see the machines - it was like walking around a museum, but that is what they use everyday to do their work

The smell coming off this was amazing

And that is it - then they are sent off to grind in another machine

And are then dressed into their bags - 180 GUD for a pack, which is about 50p

And then into my belly... Mmmm

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A COFFEE BEAN - FASCINATING!!!