Region:  Nueva Segovia region, Northern Nicaragua

Origin:  A prized and limited quantity coffee from the Cup of Excellence program. This 2^nd place Nicaraguan  Cup of Excellence coffee is the pride of Donaldo Vanegas Cruz, a former officer of the Sandinista government during the 80s. He had the vision to by the 33 hectare farm La Union and it has transformed his life.

"After the Sandinistas government, I became unemployed. With few 'pesos' that I had saved, I bought this little farm... but at that time there wasn't anything here. It was mainly grazing lands for cattle... I saw that my neighbours were having good times and so... I decided to grow these little coffee trees. In the coming years they have fed me and my workers" Donaldo underlines.

Donaldo also points out the support of his workers, to whom he is very grateful. "For me, winning the second place of special coffees is a challenge and a commitment...can you imagine how this people feel when they know that their work has come so high?... that is why I must guarantee them the best conditions". These are the final words of this small producer, who buffers the hot sun with the typical hat of this northern region of Nicaragua  

The international jury scored the #1 winner, a 94.84 and this one, #2, a 91.58 - remarkable. Equally amazing, the #1 coffee fetched over five times the auction price of this one. Luckily, we actually preferred the #2 lot anyway!

Cupping Notes:  This coffee (100% Caturra)  is wonderfully complex with one taste after another coming forward as the coffee cools. There is sparkling acidity with round citrus notes and stone fruit (cherries and plums) coming in waves. In the finish there is chocolate, caramel, and a smoky pipe tobacco nuance. This is a nicely sweet coffee with a rich mouthfeel and a pleasant lingering aftertaste.

Roasting:  At City+ the flavour profile above is best brought out. If the coffee is roasted too dark (into 2nd crack) its' complexity is muted and tastes burnt. Stay light with this one.