The coffee plantation in the Agaete valley is the only place in Europe where coffee is grown commercially and with a long tradition. The family-run Café Platinium plantation shows the whole journey “from bush to cup” – among mango and avocado trees.
Did you know that you do not have to fly to South America or Africa to see exotic coffee plantations? The only place in Europe where coffee is grown commercially and with a long tradition is in the Canary Islands – in the Agaete valley on Gran Canaria.
The Agaete valley (Valle de Agaete) is a fascinating enclave where volcanic soil and a subtropical climate create ideal conditions for producing one of the rarest coffees in the world. The Arabica Typica variety – one of the oldest and purest varieties in the world – is kept alive here.
Arabica Typica
With a tasting about €10, book in advance
About 40 minutes by car, from Maspalomas about 1.5 hours
There are several family farms in the valley that grow coffee. This article focuses specifically on the Café Platinium plantation, which offers a very pleasant tour and atmosphere – the photos are from this farm too.
The plantation is a perfect example of honest artisan production. Everything is produced in harmony with nature, entirely without chemical sprays or fertilisers, which guarantees the purity and natural taste of the beans.
Café Platinium offers very personal tours. Book a time in advance so that the owners can give you their full attention.
The success of growing the coffee plant (Coffea arabica) on Gran Canaria is no accident. The valley is protected by the massive cliffs of the Tamadaba massif, which keeps temperatures stable and shelters it from strong winds.
The mineral-rich soil gives the coffee its unmistakable character.
The coffee bushes do not grow in direct sun but in partial shade under the canopies of mango, avocado and citrus trees. The fruit is thus naturally protected from scorching.
During a visit to Café Platinium you can follow the whole process “from bush to cup”. Unlike industrial mass production, the emphasis here is on handwork, and every step takes its time.
Picking the cherries by hand: the coffee cherry is the fruit of the coffee plant, which changes colour from green to deep red as it ripens. The cherries are picked exclusively by hand, so only perfectly ripe ones are processed.
Traditional drying and roasting: after the pulp is removed, the beans are dried in the sun on so-called African beds. They are then roasted in small batches right on the farm, which guarantees maximum freshness.
The result is a coffee with low acidity and notes of chocolate.
If you decide to leave the beaches in the south of the island and head off to explore the north, the Agaete valley will reward you with peace and lush vegetation. From Las Palmas the drive takes about 40 minutes, from Maspalomas about an hour and a half. The route leads through picturesque countryside towards the village of San Pedro.
A visit to the plantation is not just about coffee as a drink. It is about understanding farming in the Canary Islands and supporting local growers.
The price is around €10. Book a time in advance.
As well as coffee, you can buy home-made jams, coffee liqueur or the renowned Canarian cheeses.
Agaete is an ideal destination for a full-day trip around the north of the island – it combines perfectly with a visit to Gáldar.
Yes, the Agaete valley is the only place in Europe where coffee is grown commercially. The variety grown here is Arabica Typica.
A tour with a tasting at the Café Platinium plantation costs around €10. It is best to book in advance.
About 40 minutes by car from Las Palmas, about an hour and a half from Maspalomas.
The valley is protected by the cliffs of the Tamadaba massif, the soil is volcanic and the coffee bushes grow in partial shade under fruit trees.
Coffee, home-made jams, coffee liqueur or Canarian cheeses.
A visit to the coffee plantation in Agaete is an ideal escape from the tourist bustle of the south, showing you a completely different, authentic side of this varied island.
