Karen
Duquette on a banana processing tour (page 2 of 3) in Limon, Costa Rica October 28, 2009 |
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Many people in Limon earn a living working for Dole and Del Monte, who export large volumes of bananas and pineapples. The guide said that green bananas taste the best and he thought it sad that Americans do not like green bananas. Everyone on the tour HAD to wear a shower cap. Karen Duquette had a fan around her neck because it was very warm out. |
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Below: Karen Duquette learned many interesting facts about this amazing fruit and its harvesting, processing, packing, and exploration. Costa Rica is the second-largest banana producer in the world. 80% of plantations are located in Limon, making it one of the most important economic activities in the region. The packing house and working areas at the banana plantation are restricted areas, so only this small section of the processing area was included in the tour. |
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Below: Bananas are grown in ditches with rows that are about two meters apart. They are hung on trees to prevent bruising and to decrease the chance of exposing the banana flesh to oxygen which will make them ripen too fast. |
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Below: Then it was time to take a quick walk alongside the workers in the processing area. |
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Karen Duquette on a boat tour in the Tortuguero Canals in Limon, Costa Rica |