September 2024

Nicaragua La Bastille Natural

Elevation: 1,300- 1500 meters above sea level

Grade: Strictly High Grown (SHG), European Preparation (EP)

Region: Jinotega

Process: Natural Process

Tasting Notes: Hibiscus, Grape, Dark Chocolate, Rose Hips, Brown Spice

Cup Score: 86.25

From the La Bastille Estate in the northeast corner of the Jinotega Department of Nicaragua comes this delightfully fruity and bright natural process coffee. La Bastille is located between the lush "Cerro Datanli - El Diablo Nature Reserve"; a tropical cloud rainforest spanning 14 thousand acres, and Lake Apanás; a 51 square kilometer artificial lake that provides hydropower to much of the country of Nicaragua.

The city of Jinotega is known as the "City of Mists" due to the city's high altitude (1km above sea level) and proximity to cloud rainforests filling the air with whispy clouds continuously.

This coffee goes through the "Natural" Process. In this processing method coffee cherries are dried whole, in the sun, without any removal of the fruit. During this time, which can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks, the cherries are turned regularly to achieve even drying and prevent spoilage. The team at La Bastille have their own proprietary process, which is a trade secret. 

What's so good about the Natural Process?
In the weeks that it takes the coffee fruit to dry out before the coffee bean is removed, the cherry of the coffee is infusing the bean with natural sugars that greatly enhance the flavor of the bean once it's roasted. These additional sugars manifest as additional body, and flavors like "fruitiness" and "berry".

We really loved this coffee and hope you do too!