Octavio Micro Lot, Nicaragua

Berries, Rum, Raisins

Producer: Octavio Peralta

Region: Nueva Segovia

Variety: Red Catuai

Processing: Natural

Altitude: 1,300m - 1,550m

Santa Maria de Lourdes is the highest Peralta farm and is located in San Fernando, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. Due to its altitude (1300 to 1550 m), it benefits from cooler temperatures at night. This slower ripening process adds complexity to the cherries, leading to consecutive 'Cup of Excellence' awards. Owned by Octavio Peralta, the farm spans 32 Ha of coffee and 45 Ha of lush forest, creating a diverse ecosystem teeming with flora and fauna. Coffee varieties like Caturra, Catuai, Tekisit, Maracaturra, Pacamara, Red Bourbon, and Java thrive in this unique setting. Their farms produce exceptional coffee, with the harvest taking place from December to April. The higher altitude parts of the mountains experience a later harvest.

The Peraltas were pioneers in producing micro lots, drawing on knowledge from Guatemala and adapting it to the Nicaraguan context. Over the years, micro lots have been introduced from all five farms - El Bosque, Santa Maria de Lourdes, Samaria, La Argentina, and La Cascada.

On the Peralta farms, the concept of micro lots centers on a small volume of coffee picked on the same day from a specific farm plot. The criteria encompass the day of picking and the geographical location, predominantly coffee varieties and micro-climates. Natural divisions like mountain sides, streams, and forested areas guide the separation of sections. The altitude, shade, and biodiversity play a vital role in protecting the coffee plants, drawing inspiration from Ethiopia's forests, the coffee plant's birthplace.

250g pack