Due to political, economical, and environmental issues, Nicaraguan coffee was not very popular in most parts of the world. Only about 10 years ago did it became known to the public. And it was enough for people to fall in love with the complex and heavingly taste of Nicaragua coffee. But what is it about this coffee that makes people so fond of the coffee from this region? Is it the taste? The good stimulating, awakening effect? Or perhaps is the magnificent smell of Nicuaruga Coffee? In order to sort it out, we need to start from the beginning and delve deeper into the origins of the Nicaragua coffee…
Top 7 Best Nicaraguan Coffees: Comparison Chart
| Brand | Type | Roast | Flavor Notes | Caffeine Content | Volume |
| AmazonFresh | Ground | Medium | Chocolate | Caffeinated | 12 oz |
| Tiny Footprint Coffee | Whole beans | Dark | Chocolate, bright apricot, fig, spice | Caffeinated | 1 pound |
| Volcanica Coffee | Whole beans | Medium | Chocolate, lemon, plum, honey | Caffeinated | 1 pound |
| Cafe Ole | K-Cups | Dark | n/a | Caffeinated | 12 pods |
| Cubico Coffee | Ground | Medium | Citrus, herbal, nutty | Caffeinated | 16 oz |
| Cafe Las Flores | Whole beans | Espresso | Sweet lime, chocolate | Caffeinated | 2 pounds |
| Climb’s Roast | Whole beans | Medium | Apricot, chocolate, citrus | Caffeinated | 1 pound |
The History of Nicaraguan Coffee
The very first Nicaragua coffee tree was planted in 1796. Initially it wasn’t a big deal, and the country didn’t have musch of a coffee trade. That is until almost half a century later, the US investment was fuelled by the Gold Rush, and henceforth, the sector gained a position in the trade and travel industries.
In 20th century, there were thousands of farms spread in the country. All of them gave work opportunities to about 30,000 workers, which boosted economy greatly. All was seemingly fine…
In 1972 Nicaragua faced an earthquake, that caused a huge damage to the economy. Following by was the revolution and other political issues – all of which cased the economics to be in shatters.
It took almost 40 years for the Nicaraguan Coffee to make a comback to the mass market. And when it did, it quickly took the world by storm.
Characteristics of Nicaraguan Coffee
Altitude and Plant Type
Coffee from Nicaragua grows best in the altitude ranging from 3600 to 5250 feet above the sea level. These are so called ‘high grown’ plants.The most common plant type is the Arabica variety. This plant type yields high-quality beans and is considered the best. The other varieties include Maragogype, yellow and red Catuai, Catimor, Maracaturra, bourbon, and so on.
Harvesting and Washing
Harvesting of Nicaragua coffee comes between October and March. As for the washing methods, Nicaragua caffeine industry uses:
- Dry processing: In this process, the beans are left in the sun to dry.
- Wet processing: The beans are processed to get the ‘cherry pulp’ washed off.
- Honey processing: This lies between both the processes mentioned above.
Flavor Profile
Most of the Nicaraguan coffee beans have a smooth taste and decent acidity that consists of a fruity, crisp, and clearly defined flavor. The aroma offers chocolaty essence, sweet caramel, and citrus. It tastes balanced and bittersweet in flavor.
Varieties of Plants
According to a lot of the Nicaragua coffee reviews, the Arabica and bourbon plant varieties are the most popular. Some of the other onces are also:
- Caturra
- Pacamara
- Maracaturra
- Yellow and Red Catuai
- Catimor
- Maragogype
Maragogype needs a special mention because of its elephant size and unique flavor. These plants give out the largest beans. They are grown in most parts of the country.
Popular Production Regions and Their Product
Nueva Segovia
The northern part of Nueva Segovia produces high-quality beans. They are full of unique and exciting flavors, and interestingly they consist of acidic and floral properties.
Matagalpa
Matagalpa is the northern region of the country that is full of volcanic soil. It has a tropical forest climate that supports the growth of high-altitude best Nicaraguan coffee beans.
Jinotega
Jinotega region, too has volcanic soil and tropical climate that supports the growth of the best Nicaragua Jinotega coffee beans. In the north-central region of this area, mostly the Caturra and Arabic varieties are grown.
Current State of Nicaraguan Coffee Industry
According to the best Nicaragua coffee 2023 stats, the Nicaragua coffee is one of the world’s best espresso industries. Most of their productions are exported to the United States.
Smart Buying Tips
Roast Method
The flavor of Nicaragua espresso depends a lot on the roasting style. Light roast tastes smoother, milder, more acidic, and caffeinated. Medium roasted beans help to provide a mild experience and the dark roasted beans are great for strong and bitter black espresso. Most Nicaraguan coffee brands produce beans with all three types of roasting style.
Caffeine Content
Wether we’re talking about Nicaraguan, Brazilian or Cuban coffee brands, all of them produce beans with varying caffeine content. Therefore in Nicaraguan coffee you can find anything from mild to strong taste. Since the more caffeine the java has – the stronger it is. So here it’s all depends on your preferences.
Whole Beans vs Ground
Beans are fresher than grounds. Also, with beans, you can customize the coarseness in accordance to your brewing style. But if you don’t have the time to grind the beans, then it is recommended that you invest in a grounded type.
Packaging
Buying the beans in bulk is more economical. Moreover, make sure you buy a bulk pack if you have a big family and/or plan to prepare some Nicaragua espresso for a big company. However, if are someone who loves enjoying the freshest beans, then invest in smaller packs.
Ways of Roasting Nicaragua Coffee
According to a lot of the Nicaragua coffee reviews, their farms practice different roasting types varying from light to dark. We highly recommend you to choose either the medium or the dark roasting because they taste the best.
Ways of Brewing Nicaragua Coffee
The two best Brewing options available for Nicaragua espresso include brewing in an espresso machine and cold brew. We would recommend you to opt for cold brew because they dampen more acidic flavors and increase overall taste quality.
Verdict and Recommendation for 2023
And that’s all there is to it! Hopefully, now you understand what makes the best Nicarahua coffee, and why is it so beloved among all the coffee enthusasts – it’s delicous taste and heavingly smell will help you get the energy and bringten up even during the most foggy and rainiy days. Just make sure that you keep in mind all that we shared with you, and you will be able to enjoy sone best Nicaragua coffee 2023 in no time.
So think it through, and don’t rush it – that way you’ll invest in a quality brand, and can taste the best Nicaragua espresso flavor to kickstart your day! Perhaps you also have some recommendations? – then feel free to share your thoughts and experience with us in the comments! We would be exited to hear from you!