Nueva Segovia in northern Nicaragua produces the country’s most consistently high-scoring coffee, and it wins Cup of Excellence more often than any other Nicaraguan region.
The profile
Floral and clean: citrus, stone fruit, jasmine, with a medium body and bright acidity. Lighter and more delicate than Jinotega’s chocolate character.
Why
High altitude on well-drained slopes, and a concentration of quality-focused producers with their own micro-mills.
Java
Nueva Segovia has significant plantings of the Java variety — the Ethiopian landrace that reached Latin America via Indonesia and Cameroon — which contributes much of the floral character.
Pacamara
Also widely grown, and Nicaraguan Pacamara has a strong competition record.
The structure
A mix of estates and smallholder co-operatives, with better processing infrastructure than most of the country.
Brewing it
Filter, light to medium roast, a clean brewer.