Nicaragua Organic (Los Lirios, Washed)

Los Lirios comes from the Reina del Café co-operative in San Juan del Río Coco, up in the north of Nicaragua. Around a hundred smallholders set the co-op up in 2008 as a non-profit, roughly a quarter of them women. And a bonus in that it is grown organically! We found this one through our friends at The Good Sourcing Co. in France, who source directly for us, and it is a simply sensational cup of coffee.

Arabica wise, it's a mix of varieties, mostly Caturra and Catuaí with some Catimor and a little Marsellesa and Parainema. Washing takes the fruit off the bean, and here the beans are then dried slowly over a very specific 18 days.

Cupping notes: we picked out a range. With milk, it's caramel and milk chocolate-cum-marzipan with vanilla. Drunk straight up, it's lemon, red apple, vanilla and kiwi in the cup.

This one fits the Curious Cups criteria due to its Organic processing and unique drying process.

Origin: Nicaragua
Region: San Juan del Río Coco
Producer: Reina del Café co-operative (smallholder members)
Altitude: 900 to 1,300 masl
Varietal: Caturra, Catuaí, Catimor, Marsellesa, Parainema
Process: Washed, dried for 18 days
Roast: Medium
Best for: Delightful omni-roast, but especially good on espresso

Roaster's tip:
It's a no-brainer on espresso, but why not try this nice and fine on V60 or AeroPress and brew at a slightly higher temp of 95°C when doing so!