Nicaragua - Washed - Agua Sarca

Agua Sarca is a beautiful coffee plantation nestled in the heart of Nueva Segovia, Ocotal-Las Manos, Dipilto, owned by Isacio Javier Albir Vílchez. The farm is a testament to heritage and love for coffee, passed down in the family for more than 30 years. At an altitude range of 1200-1450 masl, the farm spans 76 hectares and is home to several coffee varieties including Caturra, Catuaí Amarillo, Catuaí Rojo, Maracaturra, Ovata, Parainema, Marcelleza, and Geisha. The coffee trees thrive in the franco sandy soil, with their roots drawing rich nutrients resulting in beans full of flavour. With an average yield of 18 quintals of parchment per hectare, Agua Sarca is a significant contributor to the local coffee economy. The farm employs 25 permanent workers, with the team expanding to 85 people during the harvest season, which typically runs from November to March. Eco-friendly practices in cultivating the coffee are rigorously followed on the farm. The trees are pruned regularly for better yield, fertilised with a combination of organic and mineral fertilisers, and only low-intensity pesticides are used. The team is trained to pick only the ripest coffee cherries, ensuring that the quality is maintained throughout the harvest process.

This specific lot comes from a 14 hectare-plot, which sits at an altitude of 1410 masl, where the Maracaturra variety is cultivated. The challenges faced by the farm are those shared by many coffee producers worldwide. Climate change has led to higher production costs, and coupled with scarce resources and lack of financing, it makes coffee production a complex task. However, the resilience of Agua Sarca and its team has kept them going. Future plans include improving the wet milling system to optimise operations and keep delivering their high-quality coffee. No other crops are grown at Agua Sarca. It is a pure dedication to coffee that makes Agua Sarca special, and the heritage of that dedication is embodied in each cup.