Starbucks Reveals Plans For Costa Rican Coffee Farm Experience

Nearly four years ago, Starbucks purchased the Costa Rican coffee farm Hacienda Alsacia, which now serves as a global research and development facility for the company. On Monday, the company announced that this farm will open its doors to visitors in 2018 as a way for consumers to learn about the origins of Starbucks' Arabica coffee.

"This visitor center allows us to create a connection between the people that grow the coffee, the role our farm plays in helping to ensure their economic stability, and the stores that roast and brew it for our customers every day," Cliff Burrows, group president of Siren Retail and global coffee for Starbucks, said in a statement.

The visitor center was designed by the company's in-house design team, which also helped create the first Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle.

By building the facility for an immersive coffee experience, Starbucks says it expects to create not only dozens of short-term construction jobs but also long-term employment opportunities once the visitor center opens.