Region: Nueva Segovia
Known as the land of lakes and volcanoes within Central America, Nicaragua is a pocket for high quality coffee thanks to its rich soils and various microclimates.
In the northern reaches of the country is the region of Nueva Segovia, bordering Honduras with high mountains ideal for coffee production. Finca Esperanza is situated in the community of Los Arados in the Mosonte municipality. Carlos Alexander Lopes Pastrana purchased the farm in 1996 and has been manageing it ever since. He named the farm Esperanza, meaning hope, to reflect his desire to be a self-sustaning household whilst also preserving water resources for future generations.
During the harvest, cherries are carefully handpicked on the steep slopes and delivered to a processing area on the farm. Cherries are sorted and then submerged into a tank of water to remove floating cherries. They are then dry pulped and left to ferment for 24-26 hours. The coffee is then washed in channels with clean water to remove mucliage. The used water is then placed in oxidation lagoons to purify.
The coffee is then delivered to the Cafetos dry mill, 28 kilometres away. It is then dried on raised beds in the sun for 12 days. Moisture content is monitored and moved into shade if needed. Then the coffee is hulled and prepared for export.
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