Belize's Coffee-Growing Legacy

Coffee is grown in Belize, though not widely. The beans are cultivated under the rainforest canopy at the Gallon Jug Estate on the high plateaus of western Belize. The Gallon Jug Estate is a 130,000-acre estate that includes cattle, corn, orchards, wild game and a tourist resort. The coffee beans grown here are predominantly Arabica and are considered to be of high quality. The country's fertile soils and subtropical, temperate climate provide ideal conditions for growing fine Arabica coffee.

Coffee farms in Belize

Coffee is grown in Belize, though the country is not a large producer of coffee beans. The beans are cultivated under the rainforest canopy at the Gallon Jug Estate on the high plateaus of western Belize. The estate spans 130,000 acres and includes cattle, corn, orchards, wild game, and a tourist resort. The fertile soils and subtropical, temperate climate provide ideal conditions for growing fine Arabica coffee. The coffee plants grow beneath the canopy of the rainforest, allowing the trees to mature more slowly, delivering more nutrients to the beans and developing more robust flavours.

Belize does not benefit from the same advantages as its Central American neighbours, such as a large, low-cost workforce and high elevation. Despite this, the country is still able to produce premium coffee beans that are gaining respect in the specialty coffee market. The beans are hand-picked at their ripest, then wet-processed, sun-dried, and roasted before being vacuum-packed in oxygen-free containers to preserve their freshness.

Numerous other coffee-growing operations have been taking hold in Belize, including experimental coffee farms and small plantings at visitor lodges. A 50-acre farm in Gallon Jug in the country's Orange Walk District is developing a finca using a coffee plant varietal that comes from Costa Rica and grows well at low altitudes. These plants are cultivated beneath jungle shade, and the beans are roasted using a twelve-kilogram Probat roasting machine, producing a Dark Roast and Medium Roast marketed under the Gallon Jug brand.

Belize's small size and developing status in the international coffee market mean that it is not restricted by high demand for its beans, allowing more effort and attention to be put into maximising the quality of its product.

Gallon Jug Estate

Coffee is grown in Belize, mainly in the south of the country. One of the largest coffee producers in Belize is the Gallon Jug Estate, a 130,000-acre private estate located in the Orange Walk and Cayo Districts in the north of the country. The estate is the only truly commercial coffee operation in Belize and is located within the heart of La Selva Maya, the largest contiguous rainforest north of the Amazon.

The Gallon Jug Estate is a working farm that produces coffee, cacao, and corn, and raises cattle. The coffee is grown under the canopy of the Mayan rainforest, providing shade that allows the coffee trees to mature more slowly, resulting in more robust flavours. The estate also produces hot sauces and jams, which are sold in Belize and elsewhere.

The Gallon Jug Estate is known for its ecologically friendly practices, with no herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides used in the growing of its coffee beans. While the beans are considered organically grown, they have not been officially certified as organic. The beans are hand-picked at peak ripeness, wet-processed, sun-dried, and then roasted and vacuum-packed in oxygen-free containers to preserve freshness.

In addition to its agricultural operations, the Gallon Jug Estate also offers tours of its coffee plantings and production facility, as well as other farm and jungle tours. Jaguar sightings are common around the estate, and other wildlife species such as toucans, hummingbirds, parrots, and deer can also be spotted. The estate has its own private landing strip and can be accessed by a 30-minute flight from the Hidden Valley to the Chan Chich airstrip, followed by a 30-minute drive on unpaved roads.

Coffee processing in Belize

Cultivation and Harvesting

Belize's coffee is predominantly grown in the Mayan rainforest in northwestern Belize, specifically at the Gallon Jug Estate in the Orange Walk District. The beans are cultivated under the canopy of the rainforest, providing shade that allows the coffee trees to mature slowly and develop more robust flavours. The coffee cherries are hand-picked at their peak ripeness, ensuring only the highest-quality fruits are selected.

Wet Processing and Drying

After harvesting, the coffee cherries undergo wet processing, where they are sorted by soaking in water. This step helps separate the ripe cherries from any debris or unripe fruits. Following the wet processing, the coffee cherries are sun-dried, reducing their moisture content and preparing them for the next stage.

Roasting and Packaging

The dried coffee cherries are then carefully roasted, transforming the fruit and bean into the recognisable coffee product. The roasting process is a crucial step in developing the distinct flavour profile of Belizean coffee. Finally, the roasted coffee beans are vacuum-packed by distributors in oxygen-free containers to preserve their freshness and protect their full-bodied taste.

Distribution and Consumption

Belize, with its low population density, does not have a high demand for coffee, and its agricultural wholesale export market for coffee beans is relatively immature. As a result, much of the coffee produced in Belize is exported, with some finding its way to specialty coffee markets. However, within Belize, a laid-back coffee culture exists, with locals and tourists alike enjoying the full-bodied, sophisticated brew that the country's unique processing methods produce.

Belize's cacao production

Belize has a long history of cacao production. The Olmecs, the predecessors of the ancient Maya, are credited with inventing chocolate. Cacao has held deep cultural significance since its domestication, and the Maya kings and citizens consumed large amounts of chocolate. Maya chocolate pots, over 2600 years old, have been found in Belize, with some still containing traces of chocolate.

Belize is home to a growing cocoa industry, with a wide range of cacao varieties that grow naturally in the wild. The country has excellent conditions for growing cacao, with the right climate, altitude, rainfall, and soils. The Hershey Corporation set up a large-scale cocoa operation in Belize in the 1980s, providing training to small growers in the area. While this project was abandoned due to a drop in the world price of cacao, it has recently been rehabilitated and is now known as the Xibun River Estate.

Most cocoa is grown in the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts of southern Belize by smallholder farmers, with approximately 1300 smallholder farming families making up the cacao growers in the country. Many of these farmers grow cacao using agroforestry systems, intercropping cocoa with plantain, avocado, mahogany, and other tree and fruit crops. Belizean cacao is highly regarded internationally, with Maya Mountain Cacao, a specialty cacao sourcing company, receiving a Cocoa of Excellence award as one of the top 20 cocoa beans in the world in 2019.

Belize has great potential to increase cocoa production, particularly as the citrus industry is in decline due to disease. The country has a farming base with a deep history of cultivating cocoa and decades of large-scale plantation agriculture experience. Recent planting could increase Belize's cacao production fivefold in the next few years.

Coffee tourism in Belize

Belize, the Caribbean country nestled between Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south, boasts lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and a burgeoning coffee culture that is slowly gaining recognition in the specialty coffee market. While Belize is not a large producer of coffee beans, its local farmers are dedicated to cultivating premium coffee beans that are organically grown and hand-picked, contributing to a growing coffee tourism industry in the country.

Coffee Production in Belize

Belizean coffee is primarily grown in the western and southern regions of the country, with the Gallon Jug Estate in the Orange Walk District being the most notable producer. This estate spans 130,000 acres and is known for its organic farming practices, cultivating Arabica coffee beans under the shade of the Mayan rainforest. The temperate climate and fertile soils provide ideal conditions for growing fine Arabica coffee, allowing the beans to mature slowly and develop robust flavors.

Coffee Tourism Destinations

For coffee enthusiasts visiting Belize, there are several destinations worth exploring:

• The Gallon Jug Estate: Located in western Belize, this estate offers tourists the opportunity to experience coffee cultivation first-hand, amidst its diverse ecosystem that includes orchards, cattle, and wild game.
• Caye Coffee: Located on Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest island, Caye Coffee is run by two Canadian expatriates who roast Arabica coffee beans on-site, offering whole bean or ground coffee to locals and tourists alike.
• Rum, Cigar & Coffee House: Also located on Ambergris Caye, this coffee roaster carries a variety of Central American coffee beans, including El Salvadorian and Mexican blends.
• San Ignacio: In the mainland area around San Ignacio, several lodges, including Blancaneaux, Hidden Valley, and Chan Chich, grow and roast their own coffee beans.

The Future of Coffee Tourism in Belize

Belize's coffee industry is still relatively small compared to its Central American neighbors, but it holds promising potential. The country's focus on ecologically friendly and socially responsible coffee production, coupled with its growing tourism industry, could lead to a vibrant coffee culture and increased recognition for Belizean coffee on the international stage. As more coffee farms and experimental plantations emerge, coffee tourism in Belize is poised to become an increasingly popular attraction for visitors seeking unique coffee experiences.

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