Nicaragua

Through our Direct Trade program in Nicaragua, Mocha Joe’s Roasting Company has partnered with Gold Mountain Coffee Growers, an association of farmers and co-ops looking to jump the Fair Trade ship and create inroads directly with coffee roasters. Our project in Nicaragua is a little different than the one in Cameroon – while Cameroon lacks infrastructure and the technical expertise required to produce specialty coffee, Nicaragua is a seasoned professional when it comes to coffee production. Therefore, our objective in Nicaragua (in addition to purchasing some darn fine coffees) is to work directly with Gold Mountain Coffee Growers to improve processing and packaging, so that the coffee maintains its freshness over the course of the year.

Generally, coffee is transported and stored in 60-70 kilo jute or burlap bags. The coffee keeps reasonably well in these conditions; however, over the course of the year, the flavor of the beans deteriorates as the coffee ages and absorbs the fragrance of the jute. Because of this, many coffee roasters will only order the amount of coffee they feel that they can use in the 3-5 months in which coffee tastes its freshest.  In Nicaragua, we are experimenting with the cost effectiveness of two packaging alternatives to slow the aging process:

• GrainPro SuperGrain Packaging

  GrainPro SuperGrain bags are composed of a vapor barrier sandwiched between two layers of polyethylene plastic. Closure of the bag creates a hermetic seal, fostering a low-oxygen, high carbon dioxide environment in which all biological activity within the bag ceases. This method keeps green coffee fresh for an additional 3-6 months.

• Vacuum Packaging

  Vacuum packaging at origin is controversial due to the expense; however, the quality of some of Gold Mountain’s coffees merited the additional cost. The concept of vacuum packaging is similar to that of GrainPro bags; however, vacuum packaging creates a better seal and a zero gas environment. This method keeps green coffee fresh for an additional 9 months.

The benefit of alternative packaging to consumers is obvious – a fresh tasting cup of coffee in the 9 months of the year when their favorite coffees are out of season. But how does improving packaging help the farmer? These alternative strategies help small, quality-minded coffee roasters purchase and store coffee over the course of a year – facilitating these direct relationships by increasing purchase volumes and adding value.

You can try both of our Direct Trade Nicaraguan Coffees by visiting our online store:

Nicaraguan Maragogype

Nicaraguan Caturra