Nestled in the heart of Central America, Nicaragua's lush landscapes are more than just a picturesque backdrop; they are the cradle of Nicaragua’s rich and vibrant coffee culture! From its humble beginnings to its emergence as a key player in the global coffee market, the history of coffee in Nicaragua is a tale of agricultural innovation, economic transformation and perseverance through natural disaster and political turmoil. Let’s talk about Nicaragua!

The History

Coffee was first introduced to Nicaragua by Catholic Missionaries in 1790, but it was not until 1840 that the crop began to take off. With the growing demand for coffee across the globe, Nicaragua’s coffee scene began to flourish and by 1870, coffee was the nation’s main export crop, and today they are the 12th largest exporter of coffee in the world! However, this was certainly not without hardship. From Hurricane Mitch in 1998, to droughts in the early 2000s, to political unrest that led to a civil war that devastated the coffee industry, the Nicaraguan coffee sector had a lot to overcome to get to where it is today. Today, we are able to access delicious and traceable lots of Nicaraguan coffee fairly easily across the globe and we are so thankful for that! 

The Terroir

The volcanic soils in Nicaragua are well-suited for coffee growing as the soils are rich in minerals and provide excellent drainage. These fertile soils contribute to the development of unique flavors in the coffee, as volcanic ash often adds a distinctive mineral quality to coffee.