History

Nicaragua

Coffee production in Nicaragua has a long and fascinating history. In the early 19th century, the Nicaraguan government decided to encourage development of a coffee industry by offering a $5 rebate, in gold, for every coffee plant under cultivation. Other Central American nations were already enjoying success in coffee production, and the terrain and weather promised similar success for Nicaragua.

Word of this new opportunity began to spread in the United States, as well as in Europe, where adventurous Germans, Danes, English and others heard the call to emigrate. Upon arriving in Nicaragua, these newcomers blended into the local populations, and together they forged a new industry. By the late 1800's, Nicaraguan coffee, transported to the Pacific port of Corinto via mule train, was being exported worldwide.

Santa Rita, the original family estate (or "finca"), was first planted by English immigrants. In the early 1920's, world coffee prices plummeted and the owners lost the property. Native Nicaraguan Julio Cisne Monteagudo purchased the estate in 1922, and it has been continuously in production under the family's watchful eye ever since.

Over the years, Nicaragua has endured a series of hardships. However, the hard-working and determined people have continued to nourish their coffee industry, steadily improving both the quality and yield of the product. Today, the finest coffees from Nicaragua are unrivaled in the world market.

Matagalpa

The Matagalpa Region, located in the heart of the country, is Nicaragua's most productive coffee growing area. Its mountainous topography, altitude, and precipitation combine for ideal coffee production conditions.

Matagalpa City is located in one of the region's highland valleys, at 2,237 feet (682 m) above sea level. With a population just over 104,000, Matagalpa City is one of the main urban areas of Nicaragua. It is located about 80 miles from the nation's capital, Managua.

Matagalpa City is one of the oldest and most picturesque cities in Nicaragua, and is the leading commercial and manufacturing center of the region. Although it plays a central role in the nation's coffee industry, Matagalpa City also supports production of a variety of agricultural products, as well as a cattle industry at the lower elevations.