We’re very excited to release this single origin coffee from the fantastic ‘Finca Las Pilas’ in Nicaragua. It’s a wonderful coffee that we’re going to run as our ‘house coffee’ for the next 2 months, and also an opportunity for us to support a charity close to our hearts once again, following on from our work with them last year.

The charity was set up a few years back to continue the work started by one of our nearest and dearest, Anton Hawkins. Although he first arrived in Nicaragua to surf, he soon found himself immersed in a wonderful culture alongside some of the world's most giving and peaceful people.

He became captivated by the small village of Aserradores, Nicaragua, finding locals facing life-threatening problems each day with no access to clean water. Their lack of clean wells and extreme droughts meant that many children die each year from illness caused by unsafe water.

Ah2o are now registered as a charity and are on a mission to continue the work that Anton started. Their aim is to improve access to clean drinking water, as well as sanitation systems and services in the village of Aserradores. They're currently midway through a research project in the region which will outline the best short, medium and long-term solutions for improving water quality.

So, here’s a little about the coffee:

Leonardo  Valle  is  the  third  generation  of  his  family  to  farm  coffee.  He  began  working  on  coffee  farms  at the tender age of six and eventually bought a small plot of land, just 1.4  hectares to start his own farm. This was called ‘El Bourbon’.

He began expanding his land alongside brother Antonio and close friend, Jose Maria Valle. Together they planted strains of coffee which are now renowned for exceptional sweetness and interesting flavour characteristics. The results have been fantastic. Now, Leonardo  Valle  is  focused  on  establishing  a  long-term relationship with a coffee buyer - someone who will recognise the quality of his coffee and the work that he has put in over the last 30 years.

Farm: Finca Las Pilas
Varietal(s): Caturra & Catuaí
Processing: Fully  washed  & dried  on  patios  &  raised beds
Altitude:1,100 metres above sea level
Owner: Leonardo Zacarias Valle
Region: Jinotega
Country: Nicaragua

The coffee tastes absolutely amazing and we're really excited to get this one out there for obvious reasons. As well as raising awareness, we're donating 50p from every kilo we sell to Ah2o so please join us in supporting this charity. 

If you want to buy a bag you can do so here.