Out of 30,000 coffee producers in Nicaragua, 1,100 have qualified for the cup of excellence, from those, 87 have been finalists the first 3 years, 8 of these producers are members of Aldea Global's Artisan Specialty Coffee Program.

Aldea Global began in 1992 with 22 farmers. Today, the Association assists over 1000 farm families, most of which are Chorotega Indigenous Communities. Aldea Global offers organic specialty coffees, which have provided the association with small farm loans, women's solidarity groups and the ability to produce other agriculture products such as fresh produce and beans. The association promotes sustainable management of natural resources, rural health clinics, installation of potable water filters and integrated pest management programs. The Association of small farmers facilitates the growth of profitable and sustainable businesses, promoting efficient commercialization and alternative credit services. Aldea Global helps farmers stay in harmony with their environment, while producing a profitable product for the marketplace.

Altitude: 3400 feet
Variety: Bourbon, Caturra
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: December to March

Cup Characteristics: chocolate, sweet aroma, citrus tones, honeyed, bright medium acidity, well rounded cup

Prodecoop, Promotora de Desarollo Cooperativo de la Segovias, is a Cooperative in the Nueva Segovia region. Prodecoop includes more than 40 Cooperatives with over 2300 members. This Cooperative was created in 1993 to protect the rights of farmer families in the region.

Segovia coffee is a sustainable product, using native trees for shade and protecting the environment by implementing organic farming methods on more than 50% of the farms. The Cooperative supports many social and community projects, for example creating scholarships for members' children, which provides school supplies for over 2000 students. Prodecoop also has a quality control center and cupping lab to provide and maintain high quality coffees.

Altitude: 3000 feet
Variety: Bourbon, Caturra
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: December to March

Cup Characteristics: sweet nutty aroma, nice smooth body, piquant acidity clean cup

UCPCO, Union de Cooperativa Agropecuarias Productoras de Cafe Organico, is formed of 120 small producers, each member managing their own parcela. A total of 118 Fincas belong to this Cooperative and they are all certified organic. The Cooperative is located in San Juan del Rio Coco, Madriz Nicaragua.

Altitude: 3500 feet
Variety: Typica, Caturra
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: November to March

Cup Characteristics: caramelly, nutty aroma, smooth body and well balanced cup.

Cooperative La Providencia is located in Jinotega, in the northern part of Nicaragua near the Rio Coco and at the foot of the Kilambe Massif Mountains. This Cooperative is a combination of farmers from Wiwili and Kilambe and in 1996 Cooperativa La Providencia decided to brand their coffee as Wiwili. This coffee is grown in some of the highest parts of the Kilambe Mountains. The coffee is all sundried on patios that use solar powered dryers. Their mills are careful not to contaminate the regional water source, which is very important for the people who work and live there and for the many species of plants and animals that rely on the Rio Coco for water. Wiwili's members farm on small plots of land that are individually owned and maintained.

Altitude: 3600-4600 feet
Variety: Typica, Bourbon, Caturra
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: November to March

Cup Characteristics: creamy body, sweet piquant acidity, chocolate finish