Country / District : Nicaragua, San Rafael, Jinotega
Varietal: Catimor, Parainema, Red Catuaì
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1200 masl
Tasting notes: Cashew nut, blood orange, milk chocolate
Suggested for: Espresso, Moka
More info about this coffee:
Finca San José, located in San Francisco de Los Horcones, San Rafael, Jinotega, is run by Lorenzo Efraín Siles Palacios.
The farm is situated at latitude 13.202178° and longitude -86.062534°, ideal conditions for coffee growing. The washing station at Finca San José began operating in 2019, initially built with support from a local project and gradually expanded over time.
Currently, three employees handle the coffee processing at the station.
Every year, the station processes about 400 quintals of coffee harvested only from the farm itself. The main coffee varieties grown and processed are Catimor, Parainema, and Red Catuai, each chosen because they grow well locally and produce consistent coffee.
The coffee processing starts by harvesting each variety separately, followed by depulping. After this, coffee beans ferment for 15 to 18 hours before being washed. The fermentation area has a basic filtering system for waste water management. Once washed, the coffee beans are dried on raised trays for about two to three hours depending on the weather. After drying, the beans are left to rest for about 45 minutes and then transported for further processing.
The washing station practices careful water management to minimize waste. It uses gravity to control water usage, and wastewater is collected in specially built pits to reduce environmental impact.
After processing at Finca San José, coffee is delivered to Sajonia Estate Coffee, approximately 50 km away, where it undergoes additional drying and quality checks. Coffee lots are tracked using a simple colour-coded card system to indicate whether they are conventional, Rainforest Alliance-certified, or organic. A digital traceability system records all coffee details from reception to export, ensuring transparency.
The station currently faces logistical issues, particularly in loading coffee after washing, but future improvements are planned. These include expanding the fermentation space, adding ceramic lining to fermentation tanks, building a designated loading area, and enhancing overall infrastructure.
Finca San José participates in sustainability initiatives through Sajonia, supporting local farmers with financing, technical training from agricultural experts, and assistance with certification processes. These efforts aim to improve not only the quality of coffee but also environmental practices and community well-being.