Costa Rican Cocoa Selected Among World’s Best

Costa Rican cocoa producer, Chocolatera del Volcán, has earned international recognition as one of the top 50 cocoa samples in the prestigious Cacao of Excellence 2023 contest. The sample was selected from a competitive national selection process of over 25 entries in January. This achievement highlights the emergence of Costa Rica as a producer of supreme quality fine cocoa on the world stage.

The Vice Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Fernando Vargas Perez, commented on the strategic importance of this international distinction for Costa Rica’s cocoa sector. He noted that the contest provides an opportunity for trend analysis, process standardization, quality improvement, and global positioning of Costa Rican cocoa.

The Cocoa of Excellence program featured 222 entries from 52 cocoa-producing nations this year. The competition aims to honor cocoa producers for their efforts in cultivating quality cocoa during the growing, harvesting, and post-harvest processing phases. The initial evaluation consisted of a physical assessment of whole and cut cocoa beans by expert judges, followed by a sensory analysis of the cocoa liquor which evaluated aroma, flavor, appearance and other attributes.

Chocolatera del Volcán’s inclusion in the elite top 50 is a personal triumph for their team and a collective milestone for Costa Rica. The samples will now be processed into darkened chocolate which will undergo another round of rigorous blind tastings by an esteemed panel of cocoa and chocolate experts in December 2023. The results of the sensory analyses will determine the recipients of the Gold, Silver and Bronze Cacao of Excellence awards to be announced in February 2024.

Costa Rica Funds Wildlife Crossings to Protect Monkeys

The Clean Wave Foundation and SalveMonos Association have joined forces to construct 20 wildlife crossings in the Playa Grande community of Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. The project was funded from a donation drive held on October 21, which raised enough money to cover 600 meters of crossings, each 30 meters in length. The crossings are designed with a ladder and plastic coating to provide safe passage for animals to move between their natural habitats without risk of harm or death. The initiative is part of the Resilient Communities project, which aims to protect wildlife from electrocution, dog attacks, falls, and collisions. 15 of the crossings have already been installed in Playa Tamarindo, with positive results. The Howler Monkeys of Guanacaste are especially vulnerable to the dangers of urban growth, and the wildlife crossings are set to help protect them.

Costa Rica Looks to Criminalize “Loan Shark” Practices

Costa Rica’s Minister of Security Mario Zamora expressed concerns over “shark loans” or “gota a gota” at the Security and Narcotics Commission. This type of loan is a precursor to organized crime’s extortionate practices prevalent in other regional countries. Zamora championed the urgent approval of file 23.575, which seeks to criminalize such activities and define their associated penalties. He highlighted the detrimental spiral these loan practices trigger, leading to extortion. The proposal put forth by deputy Gloria Navas of Nueva República seeks to redefine the term from “drop by drop loans” to “extortionate loans,” and adjust the penalties accordingly. Zamora emphasized the need for legislative measures to combat the problem, as it often serves as a money laundering tool for organized crime. Additionally, Mario Gómez of the Costa Rican Banking Association pointed out the need for a more inclusive financial strategy to tackle this problem.

Costa Rica Battles Surging Dengue Cases

The Costa Rican Health Ministry has issued a health alert in response to an exponential increase in dengue fever cases this year. 9,182 more cases have been reported in 2023 than the total for 2022, with 16,667 cases reported so far. Five cases of severe dengue have also been reported this year, along with seven child hospitalizations related to the disease. Health Minister Mary Munive has urged the public to take collaborative action to eliminate mosquito breeding areas in homes and instill preventative habits in children. The public is advised to remain alert and follow prevention guidelines diligently as the country works to combat this serious health threat.