A vast canopy of shade trees shelters the mountain crops in La Zona de Oro, the Zone of Gold.  Deep green hydrated leaves and nurtured beans are carefully picked by the areas highest paid workers.

Our endeavor to support this isolated village in the Matagalpa mountain range began with a phone conversation. The farmers had an exceptional coffee but no method of promoting it and getting it to the larger public. Unfortunately, the result was that their harvest wound up being mixed with “lots” of other coffees from the region; a matter of economic convenience. After cupping a new crop, I asked how I could help, and the result was a first shipment which was trucked clear across Nicaragua, continuing across a weather beaten and war torn Honduras, to find its way to a green bean broker willing to do us all a favor and bring the coffee into New York. Immediately the children of the area started sending thank you pictures and photos proudly displaying new books purchased and outlining projects that would now be able to get underway.

We have since spread the word of this coffee to other roasters and are sure that the future for this mountain top looks bright. The higher prices paid will afford continued use of sustainable agricultural practices as well as monies to improve the infrastructure of the community.

We roast this bean both lightly and with a dark finish. The results are totally different. The lighter roast exemplifies a clean refreshing cup. Citrus notes abound focusing on a finishing sweetness. Its dark roasted counterpart leaves behind the brightness to feature a cocoa-like flavor and body.