SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY

Greivin, our maintenance supervisor, took a picture of this breathtaking swallowtail butterfly, one of the many species of butterflies found in Latitude 10's tropical garden.

Due to their beauty and profusion, butterflies hold much significance in both ancient and modern cultures. Many societies, including the ancient Greeks, believed that butterflies represented the human soul. Similarly, in China and Japan, butterflies represented the presence of loved ones.

Did you know that Costa Rica’s butterfly species make up approximately 90% of all Central American butterflies, 66% of neo-tropical butterflies and 18% of the world’s total butterfly species? Ecotourism is one of Costa Rica’s primary economic resources, and the country's butterflies add a lot to that. They bring life to rainforests, not only with the diversity in color, but with the magnificence of the flowers that they help pollinate.

Butterflies are members of the insect class. They use their antennae for balance and smell, and though they flit through the air almost effortlessly, their four-part wings are very delicate and easily damaged. Their eyes, large compared to their bodies, provide them with only basic sight – images are blurry, and butterflies essentially see only motion, light and color. These three perceptions serve butterflies well for their average 3-week lifespan.

Costa Rican butterflies have made amazing adaptations to the environment. Some examples of these are that the Swallowtail caterpillars camouflage themselves as bird droppings and many others have bright colors to warn predators of bodily toxins.

IVETTE'S TORTILLA RECIPE

One of Costa Rica’s food staples is corn tortillas. Tortillas frequently accompany the most famous “gallo pinto,” which is composed of pre-cooked rice and beans fried together with spices such as cilantro, onion and peppers. Costa Ricans will often fill tortillas with whatever they are eating and eat it in the form of a gallo (which translates to “rooster” in English).

Ivette, Latitude 10´s cook, was very eager to give us her homemade tortillas recipe.

What you´ll need:

2 cups of Masa Harina

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cup lukewarm water

Cast iron pan

Large bowl

A dish towel

A zip-top bag

Tortilla press

The process is this:

1. In a large bowl, evenly mix the masa and the salt.

2. In 1/2 cup increments, add the water to the masa mixture. Using a large wooden spoon or your hands, make sure to thoroughly incorporate the water after each addition of water.

3. When you have added all of the water, the dough should come together in a slightly tacky dough that forms into a ball.

4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for approximately 30 minutes.

5. Once the dough has rested, form the dough into a roll shape. Divide the dough into 20 equal portions and roll each portion into a neat golfball-sized ball.

6. Cut a 1-gallon zip-top bag in half and line the base of a tortilla press with the plastic.

7. Place 1 ball at a time onto the press and top with the other half of the plastic. Close the press and push down firmly several times until the tortilla is flattened. You could also try shaping the tortilla with your own hands.

8. Remove the plastic wrap from the tortilla and place onto the cast iron skillet and cook for 1 minute on each side.

9. The tortilla should be lightly toasted and little air pockets forming.

10. Remove the tortillas and wrap them in a dish towel to keep them warm. Serve immediately or refrigerate and reheat.

Come to Latitude 10 and Ivette will personally teach you how to make your tortillas with a Costa Rican touch!