This lot is one of the most consistently high-scoring selections. Handpicked at peak ripeness, the cherries were red honey processed—a method that removes roughly 50% of the mucilage, lending the seeds a distinctive red hue and rich complexity. The coffee was then dried slowly on raised African beds to preserve clarity and sweetness.

Producer Profile:

The story begins in the 1960s, when Alvaro’s grandfather, Zacarias Blandon, first began cultivating coffee high in the lush, volcanic soil of Jinotega at 4,429 feet above sea level. Through decades marked by political unrest, natural disasters, and the ever-changing challenges of coffee farming, the Blandon family remained deeply committed to their craft, continuously evolving their practices and holding tight to their values of perseverance and community.