{"id":5,"date":"2022-01-21T11:56:03","date_gmt":"2022-01-21T16:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/igenova-\/?p=5"},"modified":"2022-01-26T17:31:49","modified_gmt":"2022-01-26T22:31:49","slug":"products-of-the-osa-peninsula","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/igenova-\/2022\/01\/21\/products-of-the-osa-peninsula\/","title":{"rendered":"Products of the Osa Peninsula"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Members on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica have developed several ways to earn an income and make a living. From fishing, harvesting to creating, there are several ways that locals earn a living. The products that are harvested or made are sold either locally or to a large global market. Here are a few…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Piang\u00fca<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the Sierpe region of the Osa Peninsula it is common for families to fish for piang\u00fca. This is a species of mollusk that grows in the mangrove swamps along the coast. Piangueros, those who fish for the piang\u00fca, adventure in the swamps during low tide when the shells are exposed. They walk with rubber boots, to protect their feet and dig up the piang\u00fca with paddles. From there they sell to local restaurants and markets, or to an intermediate who will distribute further into Costa Rica. In the past, there was no regulation on the piang\u00fca harvest, leading to a large decline in species and eventually a small harvest. After some studies by the Osa Conservation and the Association of Piang\u00fceros and Marine Resources of Ajuntaderas y Afinesa, sizing requirements were placed on piang\u00fca to maintain a stable population size. Piang\u00fca can be made into several dishes such as ceviche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Piang\u00fca. Rojas, U. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The gold rush began in the 1930s on the Osa after the Spanish caught wind of the deposits. There hadn\u2019t been many living on the remote Osa prior to this, so many migrated during the gold rush. The gold was considered \u201chigh grade natural gold with purity of above 21 carats.\u201d On the Osa, gold was deposited in river sediments, which can be collected through sieving, primarily in the Tigre river and along Corcovado National park. Mining this way had very little impact on the environment. In contrast, foreign commercial mining production occurred in the mountainous regions destroying the natural landscape. This led to strict regulation and preservation of the parks, now protected by guards. On the Osa, gold pendants, headbands, and bracelets were formed in the shapes of native animals, used in religious ceremonies and given to leaders. Gold mining tours are found throughout the peninsula, Dos Brazos de R\u00edo Tigre offers 3 hour guided tours for US $40. Local artisans can make jewelry from gold, for example iguana lodge, or shop owners may trade goods for gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gold pendant. Doc, R. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bananas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bananas are another of the top exports from the Osa Peninsula and Costa Rica in general. Most of the banana demand comes from the United States. Large banana corporations, Dole and Chiquita, have processing plants located in Limon and Heredia. Costa Rica ranks 8th out of 130 banana producing countries. Originally introduced in the 1800s banana plantations changed the landscape in Costa Rica as previously untouched places were converted. Farms such as Cocoterra and Rio Agujitas are incorporating sustainable practices to reduce impact. The Corporaci\u00f3n Bananera Nacional Corbana established in 1971 has been working to improve the quality of banana farming, leading to increased wages and productivity. A banana plant produces a flower which eventually forms a bunch of bananas. The fruit grows for about 3 months until it reaches an acceptable size and is ready to harvest. Bananas are still green when harvested and will eventually ripen to yellow. Growing bananas are wrapped in blue plastic bags to protect from UV radiation, which burns the peels. Once collected the bunches are cut into smaller groups called manos. They are then washed to remove debris and leaves, afterwards any injured bananas are removed. The fruit is then packaged and shipped commercially. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Banana bunches covered from UV radiation. Learn about the Banana Industry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bananas being washed. Earth University.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cosmetics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Local shop Osa Natural produces soaps, lotions, shampoo and bug spray. The products are hand made by a woman named Alison and are certified organic. They are made of coconut oil sourced from Costa Rica. They come in several scents, lemongrass, tea tree, lavender, peppermint and ylang ylang. Ylang ylang is a scent from the fruit of the tree named Cananga. This scent is most famous in the perfume Chanel No. 5. The tree is often planted in gardens around hotels for the aroma it produces. Osa Natural has a shop on the eastern part of the Osa Peninsula where products are sold. Along with products cosmetic courses and pedicures are also offered. Online Osa Natural is sold on etsy, where it seems that tourists are able to continue purchasing the soap and shampoo long after visiting the shop on the Osa Peninsula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Osa Natural Logo. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Palm Oil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Palm oil has become a large export from the Osa Peninsula. African palm was first introduced in the 1940s when banana production suffered from disease. Since then, palm has dominated crop production as it provides consistent year long harvests. Companies like Palma Tica incentivized locals to convert their farms to palms by offering loans and free seeds, leading to consistent income and improved daily life.  The fruits of the palm that are harvested on the Osa are sent to one of several Golfito processing plants, for example C\u00e1mara Nacional de Productores de Palma. The fruit is put under high temperature to break down the cells, then pressed to extract the oil. The oil is then stored and exported, the largest exporter currently being Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Palm fruit being transported. Beggs, E. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Palm processing locations. Beggs, E. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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