Nicaragua
Young Germans were invited to Nicaragua by the government to promote the growing of coffee in the northern highlands. Afterward the plantation of coffee was started in the country. La virgin is the main for the production of coffee. It is located a distance away from the north of matagalpa. The region is highly elevated and mountainous. The rappaccioli family came from Italy and settled here in the 1800s and began the plantation of coffee. They built EI Paraiso coffee estate because of the suitable climate for the plantation of coffee.
Most of Nicaragua coffee is Arabica and it is processed by Cecocafen and Soppexcca, it is present in Jinotega and Matagalpa. The first coffee exported from Nicaragua was altromercato. It is nice coffee of full bodied with pleasant taste and a mild chocolate tone.
Cecocafen is an organization which was launched for the purpose of improving the links between small growers and high producer. The first export was made from Cecocafen in 1997.the association is competing with large coffee producer. Every member has share in the consortium. The headquarters is located in Matagalpa and they work to commercialize their coffee.
The plantation of coffee has negative effect on the environment due to the excessive use of water and contamination of rivers. But the plantation of coffee has also positive effect on the environment. It fixes carbon and release oxygen which decrease the threat to the environment. In Nicaragua plantation of coffee is main source of earning and the declination of this sector result in 122,000 jobs losses and food crises. The Nicaragua Union of coffee Grower is looking for promotion of production model which is based on the protection of environment.
The production of coffee was a million bags in the period of 70s but the production declined to half a million in 90s due the revolution of Sandinista. And because of this revolution the grower abandoned their farms. After the comeback of revolution the coffee farms were re-established. The fine coffee is obtained from the north and central of the country, Matagalpa, Jinotega and Nuevo Segovia. The best quality beans are classified as Central Estrictamenta Altura because of its growth on higher altitudes.
The coffee of Selva Negra is also referred to a shaded coffee plantation because of the growth of the plant of the coffee under shade of trees. These trees are of older hardwood typical of the area.
