Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Estate/Producer: Finca La Verona, run by Maria Felicitas Mairena
Department: Matagalpa
Region: Natural Reserve El Arenal
Process: Natural process, anaerobic fermentation, shade grown, sun-dried
Altitude: Avg. 950-1350 meters
Varietal: Colombia
Tasting Notes: Red Fruit, Chocolate, Almond
More Information:
La Verona is a farm located in the Natural Reserve El Arenal.
This reserve is one of 78 protected wildlife reserves in Matagalpa.
The coffee is grown on the slopes of the Cordillera Isabelia mountain range. In the mid-1990s, Maria retook possession of her family farm which had been growing coffee since the early 1900s. The farm had been in disrepair, so with incredible fortitude and determination, Maria rebuilt the farm to its current state.
The farm operates under sustainable agricultural practices, growing the coffee under shade at altitudes averaging 1150 meters. Maria grows a number of different varietals and processes her beans in numerous ways. This one is a very unique single varietal called Colombia, which is naturally processed and processed using anaerobic fermentation.
The farm operates under sustainable agricultural practices, growing the coffee under shade at altitudes averaging 1150 meters. Maria grows a number of different varietals and processes her beans in numerous ways. This one is a very unique single varietal called Colombia, which is naturally processed and processed using anaerobic fermentation.
This is a processing method that involves slowly fermenting the coffee in pressurized tanks deprived of oxygen. The slow fermentation process results in a sweeter and more complex development of the coffee’s natural flavour, with citrus and yellow fruit notes really jumping out.
The estate was named after the Italian city, Verona, because the farm was the first in Nicaragua to export coffee marked as Single Estate. Maria is deeply involved in her community and has used funds raised through her coffee farm to build a school for both local children and adults.