NICARAGUA

Organic Nicaraguan SHG UCA San Juan del Rio Coco-SMBC (E)

September 4, 2026 0 comments

A smooth and sweet Organic Nicaraguan coffee from the San Juan del Río Coco region, featuring notes of graham cracker, dark chocolate, and caramel. Fully washed and patio dried, this coffee offers above-average body and sweetness with low acidity, creating a balanced and approachable cup.

AT A GLANCE

ORIGIN

Nicaragua

VARIETAL

Bourbon • Caturra • Catuai

REGION

Madriz Department

PROCESS

Fully Washed

PRODUCER

Unión de Cooperativas Agropecuarias de San Juan del Río Coco (UCA San Juan del Río Coco)

ALTITUDE

950 meters

CERTIFICATION

USDA Organic, Bird-Friendly, Fair Trade

HARVEST

November – March

THE STORY BEHIND THIS COFFEE

This Organic Nicaraguan SHG coffee comes from Madriz in northwestern Nicaragua, produced by smallholder farmers associated with UCA San Juan del Río Coco. Grown at approximately 950 meters above sea level, the coffee benefits from the region's mountainous environment and is produced under certified organic and Bird Friendly® standards that support responsible coffee cultivation.

The coffee is composed of Bourbon, Caturra, Catuaí, and Typica varieties and is processed using the Fully Washed method. After washing, the parchment is patio dried, allowing moisture to be reduced gradually and carefully before the coffee is prepared for export. This November-harvested lot is identified as Royal NY Lot #60839 / Lot #1267.

In the cup, this coffee offers low acidity, above-average body, and above-average sweetness, with a familiar and comforting profile of graham cracker, dark chocolate, and caramel. Its combination of organic certification, traditional washed processing, and balanced sweetness makes it a distinctive expression of UCA San Juan del Río Coco.

Unión de Cooperativas Agropecuarias de San Juan del Río Coco (UCA San Juan del Río Coco)

GROWING CONDITIONS

ELEVATION

Grown at approximately 950 meters above sea level, this coffee develops in the mountainous environment of Madriz, supporting a balanced and structured cup.

CLIMATE

The coffee is grown in the highland landscapes of Madriz, where the region's coffee-growing environment supports Arabica cultivation and gradual cherry development.

SOIL

The region's volcanic soils provide a fertile foundation for coffee cultivation and support healthy plant development.

SUSTAINABILITY

Organic & Bird Friendly® This lot is certified 100% USDA Organic and Bird Friendly®, reflecting responsible production practices and shade-grown coffee systems associated with UCA San Juan del Río Coco.

VARIETAL – BOURBON, CATURRA, CATUAI

This lot brings together four established Arabica varieties: Bourbon, Caturra, Catuaí, and Typica . Each contributes to the diverse genetic foundation of Nicaraguan coffee, while their cultivation in the Madriz region reflects the area's long-standing smallholder coffee traditions.

Grown at approximately 950 MASL and processed using the Fully Washed method, these varieties contribute to a clean, balanced cup with above-average body and sweetness and low acidity . The resulting profile highlights graham cracker, dark chocolate, and caramel , creating a smooth and approachable expression of this Nicaraguan origin.

VARIETAL IN FOCUS

Bourbon

ORIGIN

A natural mutation of Typica that developed on Réunion Island.

CHARACTERISTICS

Medium yield, broader leaves, susceptible to disease but excellent quality.

CUP PROFILE

Sweet, complex, round body with chocolate and subtle fruit notes.

ROLE IN THIS LOT

Adds sweetness and complexity to the cup.

Caturra

ORIGIN

A natural dwarf mutation of Bourbon found in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

CHARACTERISTICS

Compact plant, high yield, adaptable to varying altitudes.

CUP PROFILE

Bright acidity, citrus and green apple notes, light to medium body.

ROLE IN THIS LOT

Contributes brightness and a crisp, clean acidity.

Catuai

ORIGIN

A cross between Caturra and Mundo Novo, developed in Brazil.

CHARACTERISTICS

High productivity, excellent disease resistance, and stable performance.

CUP PROFILE

Bright acidity, floral aromas, and a clean, sweet finish.

ROLE IN THIS LOT

Provides brightness, clarity, and a delicate sweetness.

Typica

ORIGIN

The original Arabica, spread from Ethiopia to Yemen and then worldwide.

CHARACTERISTICS

"Tall plant, low yield, highly susceptible to disease.

CUP PROFILE

Clean, sweet, and well-balanced with complex acidity and subtle fruit.

ROLE IN THIS LOT

Contributes elegant clarity and refined sweetness.

PROCESSING OVERVIEW

1. HARVEST

Handpicked at peak ripeness 1,400 MASL the best quality cherries.

›

2. SORTING

Cherries are sorted to remove underripe or damaged ones.

›

3. DRYING

Naturally dried on raised beds under the sun with regular turning.

›

4. MILLING

Dried cherries are hulled to remove the outer layers and reveal the green bean.

›

5. EXPORT

Carefully packed and prepared for its journey to roasters worldwide.

DRYING PROCESS

The Nicaragua Coffee Drying Process

1

PATIO DRYING

After the coffee is fully washed, the parchment is spread on patios for drying under the sun.

2

CAREFUL DRYING

The parchment is managed during drying to encourage gradual and even moisture reduction, helping protect the coffee's quality and cup characteristics.

3

OPTIMAL MOISTURE

Drying continues until the coffee reaches a stable moisture level suitable for storage and preparation for export.

This natural process highlights the inherent sweetness and body of the coffee, resulting in a cup with vibrant fruit notes, smooth mouthfeel, and lasting finish.

IN THE CUP

TASTING NOTES

Graham Cracker

Dark Chocolate

Caramel

BODY

Above Average

ACIDITY

Low

SWEETNESS

Above Average

WHY WE SELECTED THIS LOT

Why We Selected Lot 1267

We selected this coffee for its combination of organic certification, Bird Friendly® production, and connection to UCA San Juan del Río Coco, a cooperative organization with a long history of supporting smallholder farmers in Madriz. Its Fully Washed processing and careful patio drying provide a straightforward foundation for a clean and balanced cup.

In the cup, the coffee stands out for its low acidity, above-average body, and above-average sweetness. The combination of graham cracker, dark chocolate, and caramel creates a comforting profile that is both distinctive and highly approachable.

For Artizan Coffee, this arrival represents the kind of coffee we value from Nicaragua: a traceable smallholder origin supported by responsible farming practices, careful processing, and a cup profile that clearly reflects the character of its producers and growing region.

FAQs

Everything you need to know.

Our customer support is available Monday to Friday: 8am-8:30pm.Average answer time: 24h