Nicaragua Florencia; SHG, EP, DP

La Florencia Mill is located in the northern part of Nicaragua, bordering Honduras, in Ocotal Nueva Segovia. This “dry” mill has the capacity to patio-dry (Sun dried) and to dry mechanically about 35000 bags on a continuos flow basis. Nueva Segovia, because of its climate and altitude range produces one of the best quality coffees in Nicaragua. Its production is 100% Arabica (mainly Typicas and caturra), using environmentally sound practices, with some organic farms complying fully with the international standards for organic certifications. Nicaraguan Coffees have been classified around the world as one of the best “Central American milds,” specially coffee from “La Segovia.” This specific region has special characteristics which are now known worldwide due to its participation in the Cup of Excellence and CQI auctions since 2002-2003, with some lots occupying first places and very high standings throughout these past years. Out of 25 coffees auctioned in Cup of Excellence 2008, 20 were from the Nueva Segovia region. Florencia Mill is focused on transparency. They weigh, dry and store the coffee, classifying by sub-region and altitude with the necessary traceability to know which farmer produces it. Florencia also has a laboratory where they cup/taste each lot. These are analyzed each day and stored independently depending on their quality standard. Each lot received in the mill has full transparency documentation, enabling them to identify the quality standard of each sub region for future purchases. Quality in Nicaragua is obtained from the producer, as they are the ones in charge of harvesting and picking the correct cherries and processing them at their “micro” mills within their farms. Once processed and received, La Florencia is in charge of preserving this quality throughout the chain. This ensures consistency and transparency lot by lot.

Cupping Notes: I enjoy the Florencia as an evening coffee. The flavor is dark while bearing a dry fruit, caramel, and toffy profile. The aftertaste is clean and simple.

Varietal: Typicas & Caturra