Los Encuentros

Country: Nicaragua
Region: Jinotega
Preparation: Natural & Sun-dried
Altitude: 1,230 masl
Varietal: Catuai
Harvest Period: March-May
Farm Size: 9 hectares
Notes: cherry, lime, champagne, raspberry, orange, lemon 

Los Encuentros is a small farm owned by Diedericks Gadea and nestled in the mountains of northern Nicaragua, 80km north of the city of Jinotega. There is a deep love and culture for the countryside of Los Encuentros, an inheritance from the Gadea's family. Diedericks' parents taught him from a very young age to produce corn and red beans on the farmland he grew up on, and he often recalls the day his grandfather gave him a cow as a gift. This cow became the first and integral piece of valuable property he saved to be able to purchase land for his farm. 
Los Encuentros eventually became the first farm to produce Eco Forestal coffee in the surrounding community, an environmentally-friendly system that integrates hardwood trees, fruit trees, banana plants, cover crops, and coffee. Nowadays, the area is totally reforested and some endangered species like the white-tailed deers, have returned to their woodlands. 

Founded in 1992, Aldea Global began with just 22 small producers. Since then, they've integrated their business model with the surrounding municipalities, creating a financially and environmentally sustainable agricultural practice that benefits all parties involved. 
Aldea focuses on the development of direct relationships in order to maintain traceability and quality. Balzac Brothers is proud to work with them year after year. 
Los Encuentros became the first from producing Ecoforestal coffee in the community. 

website: http://balzacbrothers.com