Nicaragua’s coffee production industry is an enormous business. Accounting for nearly $500 million in global exports and employing over 330,000 people, Nicaragua boasts one of the world’s highest yields of world-class beans thanks to family farmers who take great care in producing it; all the way from bean to bag in a process which takes several weeks and involves expert hands.

For the optimal cup, select coffee that has been labeled organic or fair trade, adhering to strict ethical and environmental standards set forth by non-profit organizations like Fair Trade USA or Rainforest Alliance. HN Tip: Look out for Nicaraguan bags bearing the green tree frog seal which indicates harvesting according to these stringent standards.

Nicaragua is an ideal environment to grow coffee thanks to its lush volcanic soil, mountainous terrain and wide array of Arabica varieties. Plus, shade from nearby forests naturally deters pests – making Nicaraguan coffee production more sustainable! In fact, most Nicaraguan coffee production takes place under shade trees; and over 80 fincas have received Rainforest Alliance Bird Friendly certification – giving you peace of mind knowing your roast from Nicaragua supports responsible farming practices!

Nicaraguan coffee farmers work together through cooperatives to strengthen each other and foster sustainability. Cooperatives allow small independent farmers to pool resources and share best practices, improve quality, provide training, technical assistance, education programs, economic diversification funding opportunities and more for members. They also allow a more democratic approach to governance by giving members more power in making decisions for themselves and for the coffee industry’s future.

Aristedes, a coffee farmer in Nicaragua’s Samulali region near Matagalpa and member of CECOCAFEN – an organization which supports small-scale coffee farmers – credits this group for helping him secure more stable income, which allows him to meet financial obligations, send children to school and purchase necessary farm equipment.

Family farms depend on these cooperatives for assistance and tourism ventures to make a profit that helps support medical treatment, purchase clean drinking water, plant organic vegetables, provide mosquito nets, and teach English to children in their community. This type of tourism venture enables community members to afford medical treatments, purchase clean drinking water supplies, plant more organic vegetables for harvesting purposes, purchase mosquito nets for protection, and teach English classes for local kids.

Nicaragua’s small-scale farmers are using fair trade and ecotourism to form sustainable communities despite political unrest, making Nicaraguan coffee even easier for you to find! HN Tip: Look for one with USDA organic or Rainforest Alliance certified seals; also try one described as smooth, sweet and chocolatey!