From September 2012-June 2013, Rachel lived and worked in the coffeelands of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Colombia, recording interviews with more than 85 coffeepeople. Her experiences and understandings are recorded in the early posts of this blog.
In October 2013, Rachel self-published the resulting compilation “When Coffee Speaks: Stories from and of Latin American Coffeepeople” , a choose-your-own-adventure ethnography, with McNally Jackson Independent Booksellers of New York.
Since those first months on the ground, Rachel has been a regular contributor to Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, Fresh Cup Magazine and other trade publications, where her articles address trends at Latin American origins, certification and sustainability, climate change, and other coffee industry concerns. Links to published articles at rachelnorthrop.com
Please reach out with comments or questions via the comments box below.
When Coffee Speaks 
Being an avid lover of coffee, I was consumed with your story. Wow, you’re a pretty amazing person to follow the java road less followed. I’m going to go on and peruse around your blog. Thank you for caring so much as to invest a chunk of your life. Not many people are so brave…
AnnMarie
Hi Rachel, A family member forwarded me your blog because … I owned a coffee farm in Costa Rica with a view of the Pacific Ocean. Small but special for a guy originally from Brooklyn NY. Feel free to contact me if it might be helpful to your project. All the best. Steven
What is the status of your book?
Hi Deborah,
I’m planning to do a small self publishing run in late September; more info will be posted here on whencoffeespeaks.com as I have it!
Cheers,
Rachel
Hi, I’ve nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award –
http://gabriellaswerling.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/my-nomination-for-sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/
I absolutely love this, love choice of adventure! What an amazing little plant that touches so many different people.
Really, really cool. I’m impressed by your sense of adventure. The world needs more people who are looking for “holes” and to make a difference like you.
I have no interest in coffee (yuck!), but I think what you are doing is pretty fascinating, and very cool. I hope you’re enjoying Panama – it’s a fun country.
Very nice Rachel. Loved your post on free trade coffee so much that i re-blogged it whole. Lou
http://talesfromthelou.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/tourism-as-direct-trade/
Great words. Fantastic motivation not to buy anything that is not fair trade,
Thanks for sharing! Buying things that are certified Fair Trade is one important step in the right direction, but if we do go places ourselves, how we spend our money while there gives us the chance to leap several bounds forward towards paying people living wage for the work they do.
What a fantastic journey you’re on!
Rachel, it was great having you here at Finca Las Alturas to share our coffee growing and roasting process with you. Good luck with your continued travels!
I really like that you are taking this initiative in your life. I wish I could be of more help in your adventure. Do let me know by e-mail or call me to see what could be spoken of. Thanks for reaching out to me. Best,
Marco Antonio SORIANO