Where Gumbo Was #521
This week, Gumbo went out to explore the Puerto Rican countryside, and ended up visiting Hacienda Muñoz. It is about a 30 minute drive south from San Juan, in the hills of San Lorenzo. Congratulations to George G. For figuring out this destination.
Growth Cycles of Coffee
In 1993, Hector Muñoz, along with his mother Yiya, began a catering business from their home. It grew and they decided to open a restaurant. They also bought land in the mountains of Puerto Rico, and started a coffee plantation. Today, they produce around 4000 pounds of coffee a year (about half of their pre-Maria yield).
Coffee Plants about 1 year old
Coffee flower Buds
Coffee bean
They offer three tours a day of their coffee production. At 10 AM is their English tour, and at 12 noon and 2 PM are tours in Spanish. The takes you through one of areas where coffee trees are growing. Our guide gave us a wonderful introduction to process of growing coffee, from raising the seedlings, to planting them in the field, and finally to harvesting. To take the tour, be ready to walk up and down a hill that is moderately steep and definitely not paved.
After our tour, we enjoyed a wonderful meal in Yiya’s Restaurant, sitting on the patio, with a great view of the grounds. The plantation is also favorite destination for people out driving or biking in the area
, and they have a cafe that offers coffee, pastry and sandwiches.
Processing Building
This machine cleans and separates coffee beans
This machine sorts and grades coffee beans
Hacienda Muñoz is located at Route 181, KM 37. Barrio Quebrada, San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico 00754.
Tours are $20/person; $10 for seniors and children.
