Web Feature: Farming Passion
Roberto Mata of Coopedota talks about producing USBC-winning coffeeBy Chris Ryan
When Michael Phillips of Intelligentsia Coffee was proclaimed the winner of the United States Barista Championship last month, it wasn’t just a victory for him, but for all those who had a hand in his routine. One of those people was Roberto Mata, general manager of Coopedota (a collection of farms in Costa Rica’s Dota Valley). Coopedota supplied Phillips’ coffee, which was processed in three ways: a full natural, a honey processed and a washed. Phillips spent time at Coopedota’s farms, roastery and café before the competition to familiarize himself with the beans, and Mata traveled to Anaheim, Calif., to watch Phillips’ award-winning performance. Following Phillips’ victory, Mata spoke with Fresh Cup via e-mail about the experience.
Q: How did the collaboration with Phillips come about?
A: I met Michael through Intelligentsia, one of our buyers. He spent three days with us. For a day and a half, he learned about production, milling and preparing coffees. He visited farms, met with farmers and watched the different processes. He then spent a day and a half training our barista team for the Costa Rica Barista Championship. We placed first, second and third there—Michael really helped us. (Winner Auren Chacón will compete at the World Barista Championship in London next month.)
Q: What did you think of his idea for the competition, where he used Coopedota coffee processed in three different ways?
A: When I watched him compete at the regional competition in Milwaukee (by Internet), I really thought, Miguelito esta loco (Michael is crazy). I had never seen anything like that, but I was sure he was doing something great and very different, and that he was going to be the champion again.
Q: What was it like for you to see Michael perform in person at the USBC using your coffee?
A: Watching Michael was something that I don’t have the right words to explain. We produce, process and export quality coffee with love and passion, to satisfy the most expert baristas and coffee drinkers from around the world. When I saw Michael competing, I was proud and super happy. Because through him, I was looking at the 790 farmers that produce coffee for Coopedota. Michael winning proclaims Coopedota as one of the best coffee producers of Costa Rica. Now people from all over are asking, “How can I get Dota coffee?”
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