What are the coffee regions in Nicaragua? How should you brew Nicaraguan coffee?

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Introduction to Nicaraguan Coffee

High-quality Nicaraguan coffee ranks among the world's finest coffee beans, enjoying an excellent reputation. It features medium-sized beans, mild flavor, and is remarkably aromatic and rich.

Nicaragua is located in central Central America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The north-central region consists of highlands, while the eastern part is coastal plains, forming part of the Central American volcanic belt. The eastern plains experience high temperatures and abundant rainfall, featuring a tropical marine climate. The suitable climate provides an excellent growing environment for coffee cultivation.

Premium Nicaraguan coffee is grown in the northern and central parts of the country. Coffee is Nicaragua's pillar industry, producing nearly 100,000 tons of coffee beans annually. Many people who have tasted Nicaraguan coffee typically believe it's no different from Salvadoran or Honduran coffee. It has rich aroma, smooth and delicate texture, with a slightly bitter aftertaste, reminiscent of subtle flavors隐约蕴涵 in wine.

In many countries, coffee production is severely affected due to political reasons. The Nicaraguan coffee industry is no exception. The 1979 revolution forced coffee plantation owners to flee to Miami. This was followed by a period of uncertainty, as the government considered whether to redistribute land (including many plantations), which led to insufficient coffee supply and declining production, dropping from over 1 million bags in the early 1970s to less than 600,000 bags in 1990. Now the government has opened up the coffee industry, with private owners controlling the market. The best coffee comes from Matagalpa's Jinotega and Nueva Segovia regions, featuring moderate acidity, delightful aroma, and is thoroughly enjoyable.

Nicaraguan Coffee Growing Regions

Nicaragua is mainly divided into four major regions: the Segovias region, the Matagalpa/Jinotega region, the Boaco region, and the Pacific Coast region. The Segovias region has the highest cultivation altitude at around 1,500-2,000 meters, producing the highest grade SHG (Strictly High Grown) coffee.

Brewing Nicaraguan Coffee

So how should Nicaraguan beans be brewed? FrontStreet Coffee recommends the pour-over method:

Grind Size: 3.5 (Japanese Fuji R440)

Water Temperature: 91°C

V60 dripper, 15g of coffee, water temperature 90-91°C, grind size 3.5, water-to-coffee ratio close to 1:15

30g of water for blooming, blooming time 30s

分段: Pour water to 120ml, pause, then slowly pour to 225ml

That is 30-120-75, total extraction time 2 minutes

Other Drip Brewing Recommendations:

French Press: Recommended grind size 3.5-4, water temperature 90°C

AeroPress: Recommended grind size 2.5, water temperature 90°C

Pour-over: Grind size 3.5, water temperature 91°C

3.5 grind - 90°C water temperature

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473