For many people, picking up their favourite coffee from Starbucks Canada is one of life's great pleasures. But this daily ritual can often feel far away from the journey that the humble coffee bean took to get to the cup from the farm.
If your barista took part in the Starbucks Origin Experience, however, you're closer than you think to the story of how your delicious drink came to be.
This all-expenses-paid three-day coffee immersion to the stunning Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia farm in Costa Rica is open to all Starbucks partners (employees) who have earned their Coffee Master status. Coffee Masters have completed Starbucks Global Academy Level 300 courses, making them experts on coffee origins, flavours, roasting and more.
Located about an hour's drive north of San José, Hacienda Alsacia opens partners' eyes to the "first 10 feet" of the coffee journey so that they can bring that experience to the "last 10 feet," i.e. their Starbucks Canada stores back home.
Since its beginning in 2014, Origin Experience has invited partners to get their hands dirty — from planting new trees to harvesting ripe coffee cherries — while absorbing the bigger picture that goes into creating the drinks they serve every day.
Narcity spoke to two Starbucks Canada partners whose Origin Experience trip changed how they approach their coffee-making craft and asked them about their eye-opening adventure to where it all begins.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Store manager Skyler Skerry, whose go-to order is the Brown Sugar Oat Americano or Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso ("All dependent on the weather," he adds), has just passed his eighth year with Starbucks Canada.
After becoming a Coffee Master and earning his black apron in 2023, he applied to the Origin Experience program. During a team role-play exercise, Skyler's manager surprised him with the news that he would be going to Costa Rica.
"They all had cans of silly string that they sprayed all over me, it was a beautiful mess in the best way possible," he told Narcity. "I was so overwhelmed and couldn't believe it. I was absolutely ecstatic."
Skyler was selected alongside a barista in his store, and they made the journey to Costa Rica together.
Skyler Skerry poses with the coffee sapling he planted at Hacienda Alsacia.Courtesy of Skyler Skerry
"The biggest lesson I learned is just how much dedication, expertise, and effort goes into every single coffee bean before it ever reaches our stores. Seeing the farmers carefully tending to their crops, learning about the science behind sustainable farming, and understanding the impact of climate change on coffee production gave me a whole new level of respect for what we do."
"It made me realize that my role as a Coffee Master isn’t just about brewing a great cup of coffee — it’s about honouring the work of those at the beginning of the coffee journey and sharing their story with our customers."
Fellow Starbucks Canada Coffee Master Kelsey Riley (who drinks a short dark with a splash of oat) also joined the 2025 Origin Experience, excited to see the entire coffee journey firsthand.
"I knew that walking through Hacienda Alsacia, meeting the people who grow our coffee, and learning from experts would transform my perspective on what it truly takes to produce every cup we serve," she said.
Kelsey Riley holding a basket of freshly picked coffee cherries at Hacienda Alsacia. Courtesy of Kelsey Riley
Witnessing the approach to sustainability and ethical practices was an essential part of the Origin Experience for Kelsey, a store manager in B.C.
"The biggest lesson I learned is how impactful Starbucks' commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability is — not just in words but in real action. Seeing the farmers’ dedication, hearing their stories, and learning about Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices helped me understand the ripple effect of every decision we make."
"People need to know the work Starbucks does to ensure that every farmer has access to coffee seeds. It stuck with me that we give away over 3 million seeds a year to support the overall coffee industry. Even giving seeds to farmers that we don’t even source from."
Skyler Skerry gives the thumbs up next to the entrance to Hacienda Alsacia. Courtesy of Skyler Skerry
For Skyler and Kelsey, the opportunity to participate in Origin Experience has profoundly impacted how they make and serve coffee.
"I now have a deeper understanding of where our coffee comes from, and I find myself being more intentional when I talk about it, making sure that every cup I serve has meaning behind it," said Skyler. "This experience has transformed the way I approach my role — I now see coffee as a journey that connects people all over the world."
"Since returning, I feel an even stronger sense of purpose in my role as a Coffee Master," said Kelsey. "This experience has also made me more mindful of my role in sustainability — I want to be more intentional in educating my peers and inspiring them to take pride in the work we do every day."
The Origin Experience program is a great example of Starbucks Canada's investment in its partners and is proof of its long-term commitment to sustainability. By getting partners up close to the reality of coffee production, Starbucks Canada also welcomes customers to take a closer look at where their cup of coffee comes from.
From looking for a part-time job eight years ago to being a Coffee Master and store manager on the Origin Experience, Skyler reflects on Starbucks Canada's role in his career.
"Starbucks Canada has provided me with opportunities I never could have imagined when I first joined, and for that, I am incredibly grateful."
Kelsey Riley poses with the coffee sapling she planted at Hacienda Alsacia.Courtesy of Kelsey Riley
For Kelsey, the Origin Experience was "truly life-changing."
"Starbucks Canada has provided me with an opportunity I will never forget, and I’m proud to work for a company that gives partners a chance to experience this incredible program," she said.
If you want to learn more about the Origin Experience, it's as easy as heading to your local Starbucks Canada and saying "Hi" to the Coffee Master. These experts, recognizable by their black aprons, can't wait to tell you all about it!
To learn more about Starbucks Canada, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, or better yet, visit your local store to check out some of the latest coffee craft.