Nicaragua Java Natural La Benedicion

We offered this coffee om 2020 and 2021 and it was a treat to have so we are pleased to have it back for a couple of weeks this year. The gentle florality found in this varietal is a welcome flavor trait.

Despite its long history of cultivation, it is still uncommon for us to offer the Java varietal at Willoughbys. Originally thought to be a Typica until genetic testing revealed it to be a selection from an Ethiopian Landrace population called Abyssinia (World Coffee Research) the variety was introduced to the island of Java directly from Ethiopia by the Dutch in the early 19th century. The Java variety is becoming a good growing option for smallholder farms, who use fewer inputs, as it is resistant to coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease. In the mid-20th century, it was brought to Cameroon from Java and then, in 1991, it was brought and planted in Costa Rica, its introduction into Central America.  Java shares some flavor characteristics found in Geisha, also of Ethiopia origin, but Java is not as delicate nor as floral.  It is an easily accessible exotic variety with a deeply rooted history. And it is significantly less costly than Geisha too.

This particular coffee made its first impressions on our roaster when he visited Nicaragua in early 2020. After cupping many coffees over 4 days, the Java ended up being the favorite. Grown on two of Luis Alberto’s farms, Finca La Bendicion and Lo Prometido, and dry processed at Beneficio Las Segovias in Ocotal. Luis Alberto took first place in the Cup of Excellence in 2021 and 1st and 5th place in 2018. 

• Country: Nicaragua 
• Farm: Finca La Bendicion
• Producer: Luis Alberto Balladarez
• Region: Nueva Segovia
• Municipality: Mozonte
• Altitude: 1300-1650 meters
• Varietal: Java
• Process: Natural/Dry Process
• Harvest Season: December-March