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High Altitude and Shade. The Contra farmers cultivate Arabica coffee trees high in the mountains of Nicaragua's legendary Jinotega growing region. Their farms sit between 3,200 and 3,700 feet altitude. This high location brings cold nighttime temperatures that slow the growth of the coffee cherries and develop the complex flavors that make Contra Café's taste so exceptional. To protect the delicate Arabica trees from the fierce mountain sun, the Contra farms are covered with a thick layer of shade trees. Besides enhancing the taste of the coffee, this shade provides a habitat for hundreds of native species of birds and animals.Small Farm Attention. Each of the Contra farmers manages their own small farm of 1-2 acres. This small size permits a level of attention to quality that cannot be matched by larger producers. During the harvest season, each tree is picked over at least 5 times to ensure that only perfectly ripe cherries are gathered. Once harvested, the cherries are depulped by hand under the watchful eye of the farmer, who removes defect beans one-by-one as they appear. This attention to the smallest details ensures that every cup of Contra Café has zero defects and perfectly balanced flavor. |  |
