Tag Archives: costa rica

Why Does Soil Matter for Pineapples?

Soil

We often forget that we are all part of a larger web of life. Everything that surrounds us, and everything that we see or do not see, is part of a larger ecosystem that is more interconnected and interrelated than we believe. While soil is not always within our sight or as aesthetically appealing as trees or other living creatures, it plays a huge role in the life cycle and functioning of the ecosystem as a whole and is essential to sustaining life on Earth.


The reality for the world we currently live in today is that soil is also our best ally in combating climate change and ensuring food security. The threat of soil erosion poses risks to our own livelihoods, as agricultural activities can often exceed the rate at which new soils can form in a fast-paced world.

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Pineapple Production in Costa Rica

Pineapple Season

Why Pineapple Production Increases in the Fall

While Costa Rica produces coffee, bananas, and other short-cycle crops, other than tourism, year-round pineapple production is the most vital piece of Costa Rica’s economy. In fact, Costa Rica is the largest producer and exporter of pineapples in the world. No less than 90% of the pineapples consumed in the United States come from this small country of just over 5 million people. But did you know that pineapple supply increases in the fall?

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Feliz Navidad! How We Celebrate Christmas in Costa Rica

Festival de la Luz in San José | Photo via Festival de la Luz

Horse Parades, Pork Tamales, and Trips to the Beach Are Just Some of the Ways Costa Ricans Enjoy the Holiday Season

The month of December is marked with plenty of holiday celebrations in Costa Rica. From vibrant festivals to traditional Christmas Eve feasts, there are plenty of reasons to be in high spirits this time of year. If you can’t make it down to Costa Rica this December, don’t fret – we’re taking you with us on a virtual tour of some of the country’s biggest and best holiday festivities.

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Celebrating Día de la Mascarada in Costa Rica

Día de la Mascarada
Photo by Marcela Bertozzi, via Sercano

From Parades to Papier Mâché Masks, Here’s How to Celebrate Halloween the Costa Rican Way

Halloween may be the best-known holiday held on the 31st of October, but in Costa Rica we have our own traditions. Día de la Mascarada, or Day of the Masquerade, is an annual celebration that blends Spanish and Costa Rican tradition into a unique holiday. With Costa Rican music playing and costumed characters dancing through the streets, the day is full of festivities – and a few spooks, too.

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How Chestnut Hill Farms Partner The Fructus Foundation is Creating Change in Costa Rica

fructus foundation giving back

From Scholarships to Business Opportunities, The Fructus Foundation is Supporting Our Costa Rican Community

As a company, one of our core values is giving back. We’re always looking for new ways to support our community through both sustainability efforts and social programs. That’s why we’re proud to be long-time partners of The Fructus Foundation, or Fundación Fruktus, a local charity established in Costa Rica. This group works to implement a wide variety of programs in the country, from developing infrastructure to providing scholarships to supporting local low-income families. Through their initiatives, they seek to build and support sustainable communities while creating opportunities for the future. Read on to discover just some of the fantastic projects The Fructus Foundation completed in 2019, as well as some of the goals it has planned for 2020.

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Putting Community First: How Chestnut Hill Farms Gives Back

pineapple food bank donations give back

Chestnut Hill Farms Donates Almost 70,000lbs of Pineapple to Food Banks

At Chestnut Hill Farms, we believe in putting people first. During this pandemic and beyond, we have strived to give back to our community at every opportunity. Through partnerships with organizations across Costa Rica and the United States, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we’re eager to continue supporting our people, our communities, and our futures.

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Giving Back to Our Costa Rica Community

Growing More than Food in Costa Rica

costa rica

Here at Chestnut Hill Farms, we are passionate about what we do. Our first customer began with a handshake and a contract written on a table napkin, and we continue that relationship-based model of business to this day.

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Where the Perfect Pineapple Grows

Eco-Friendly Farming & Rainforest Protection

Rainforest Protection

Here on Chestnut Hill Farms, we have the pleasure of working in paradise everyday. No, we don’t mean to brag, but we are thankful. Our farms are located in Guapiles, Costa Rica, right over the hill from Tortuguero National Forest. Living and working in such a lush, ecologically diverse environment has allowed us to grow more appreciative of our surroundings. This is why we bear in mind rainforest protection and remain eco-conscious of the impact of our farms while growing the perfect pineapple.

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A Perfect Pineapple Holiday Season

Perfect Pineapple Gift Ideas

pineapple gift ideas

Not only are our perfect pineapples available year-round, they can make for the perfect gift this holiday season! As the days of family get-togethers quickly approach, it’s time to start thinking about what presents to give to the ones that you love most. Historically, the pineapple has always been viewed as being a symbol of welcome, friendship, and hospitality for events. If the fruit were displayed during colonial times when the fruit was expensive and rare, guests knew that no expense had been spared to make them feel honored and welcomed. Make your guests feel welcome this season with these perfect pineapple gift ideas!

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Healthy Halloween Treats

Celebrate with These Healthy Halloween Pineapple Recipes!

On a holiday where candy reigns supreme, it may be strange to hear the words “healthy” and “Halloween” used together. While your little ones may be set on reaping the benefits of an evening spent trick or treating, this doesn’t mean that you can’t add a bit of nutrition to the holiday. Juicy, fresh pineapple can add a healthy twist to your mini monsters’ cuisine this Halloween and with it’s sweet flavor, they’ll swear it’s just as good as candy! With just a little bit of innovation, you are bound to trick your little monsters into loving these healthy treats. Check out some of our favorite healthy Halloween pineapple recipes below.

Candy Corn Granola Bars

healthy Halloween pineapple recipes

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1 cup sunflower seeds

• 1/3 cup honey

• pinch of salt

• ¼ cup chopped fresh dried Chestnut Hill Farms pineapple

• ¼ cup chopped dried apricots

• ½ cup whole-milk plain yogurt

Directions: 

1. Our first step is to prep the dried pineapple. Slice your pineapple into chunks, and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set your oven to 225°F and bake each side of the pineapple chunks until dried, about 25-30 minutes on each side. 

2. Preheat your oven to 400°F. 

3. Spread oats and sunflower seeds on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes.

4. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray. Cook honey in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, without stirring, until large foamy bubbles form, 2 to 4 minutes. (The bubbles will start out small and increase to about ¾ inch or larger when the honey is done.)

5. Immediately pour the toasted oat mixture and salt into the honey; stir until completely coated. Quickly press the granola into the prepared pan using a heat-resistant spatula coated with cooking spray. Top the granola with a circle of pineapple pieces in the center of the pan and then create a ring of apricot pieces around it, stopping about 2 inches from the edge. Gently press the dried fruit into the granola. Let cool for 30 minutes. Cut into 8 wedges and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the wedges on the pan and spoon 1 tablespoon yogurt onto the bottom third of each wedge. Place in the freezer until the yogurt hardens, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Candy Corn Fruit Cocktail

healthy Halloween pineapple recipes

Ingredients:

• Chestnut Hill Farms pineapple, cut into bite-sized chunks

• Oranges, cut into bite-sized chunks

• Whipped cream

• Candy corn

Directions: 

1. In a clear glass, layer pineapple, then oranges and top with whipped cream and a couple pieces of candy corn. Serve right away or refrigerate until ready to serve. It’s as easy as that!

Candy Corn Popsicles 

healthy Halloween pineapple recipes

Ingredients:

•  1/4 cup cream of coconut

• 3/4 cup coconut water

• 1 cup pineapple juice from fresh Chestnut Hill Farms Pineapple

• 1 cup mango juice

• red food coloring

Directions:

1. Combine the cream of coconut and coconut water in a measuring cup. Pour into 10 3-ounce or 8 4-ounce ice-pop molds, dividing evenly.

2. Freeze until set, at least 2 hours.

3. Mix the mango juice with 1 drop of red food coloring in a measuring cup. Pour on top of the coconut mixture, dividing evenly. Insert the ice-pop sticks, pushing gently into the coconut mixture. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.

4. Pour the fresh pineapple juice on top of the mango, dividing evenly. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 4 days.

Want more fun ways to use pineapple during the holidays? Learn how to make your own pineapple jack-o-lantern here!

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