The Best Nicaraguan Coffee (Top 11 Picks For You)

Looking for the best Nicaraguan coffee? Check out our top picks and a buying guide so you can choose the best beans for your cup of joe.

Short on time? Our top choice is the Lifeboost Pacamara Limited Collection!

Nicaraguan coffee is some of the tastiest in the world.

But there are so many options out there that it can be hard to tell what the best Nicaraguan coffee is.

After so many years in and around the coffee industry, I’ve picked up on a thing or two about choosing the best coffees.

So I picked out some of my favorite Nicaraguan coffee for this article.

And I even included a section about how I make my decisions.

Let’s get to it!

Top 11 Nicaraguan coffees for you

• Lifeboost Pacamara Limited Collection (Best Overall)
• Lifeboost Medium Roast (Most Classic Flavor)
• Volcanica Jinotega Region Nicaragua Coffee (Best Micro-Lot)
• Lifeboost Bourbon Barrel (Best Barrel-Aged Coffee)
• Volcanica Nicaragua Mango Honey Coffee (Most Unique)
• Lifeboost Caramel Macchiato (Best Flavored Coffee Beans)
• Café Las Flores Grandes Cosechas Gourmet Coffee (Best Nicaraguan Roaster)
• Nespresso Capsules OriginalLine Nicaragua Master Origin Coffee (Best Espresso Shots)
• Tiny Footprint Coffee Nicaragua Segovia Dark Roast (Best Dark Roast)
• Cafe Ole Organics Nicaraguan Dark Roast Single Serve K-Cups (Best Single-Serve Pods)
• Patria Nicaragua Dark Roast Ground Coffee (Best For French Press)

Lifeboost Pacamara Limited Collection

Lifeboost has come onto the scene strong in the last couple of years.

It produces some phenomenal coffees that you should at least give a chance.

One of the best coffees in the lineup is the Pacamara Limited Collection.

It’s a single-estate Nicaraguan bean. That means it comes from one farm instead of multiple farms. That’s good because you get an even more specific and focused flavor profile.

Speaking of the flavor profile, the notes of orange zest, chocolate, and toffee are spot-on. It’s a great mix of brighter flavors without being too much.

And the medium roast of this coffee keeps each flavor in check. Nothing about this coffee is overwhelming.

And it’s hand-picked. That means that each bean was selected by hand. In turn, you can be sure that each bean was only picked at the perfect time.

The only downside is that you lose some of the more delicate flavors in a medium roast that you would find in a light roast.

Pros

• It’s a single-estate coffee, so it only comes from one farm instead of multiple crops
• The medium roast keeps the flavors mellow and balanced, no part of the profile is overwhelming
• The notes of orange zest, chocolate, and toffee are spot-on and delicious
• It’s a hand-picked crop, which means extra care was taken to make sure you get the best beans possible 

Cons

• In a medium roast, you do lose some of the more delicate single-origin flavors you would find in a light roast

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Lifeboost Medium Roast 

Lifeboost has a few staples in its lineup that are worth checking out.

The medium roast is a great addition to anyone’s home brewing setup. After all, everyone needs a mellow, mild, and versatile morning coffee, right?

Lifeboost Medium Roast is a classic roast that’s balanced and easy to drink. It tastes great, either with or without cream and sugar. Plus, it’s forgiving enough that it tastes great no matter how you like to brew.

And it’s a single-origin coffee. That means it comes only from Nicaragua, and there isn’t other coffee blended in. You get a full Nicaraguan flavor profile.

And it’s an all-Arabica coffee. Arabica beans are better and tastier than Robusta beans.

The bottom line is that this coffee is simply a great addition to your cupboard. There isn’t one standout flavor, which means that no matter your coffee preferences, this coffee will deliver.

The only downside is that you lose some of the more interesting and unique flavors you would otherwise find in a light roast.

Pros

• It’s a classic roast that’s balanced, mellow, and versatile
• It’s certified by USDA Organic and Fair Trade, so you can be sure it was held to high production standards
• This is a single-origin coffee, so you get only Nicaraguan coffee bean flavors instead of a blend
• It’s an all-Arabica coffee, which is better and tastier than any Arabica/Robusta blend

Cons

• Because of the medium roast, you lose some of the more unique and interesting Nicaraguan flavors

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Volcanica Jinotega Region Nicaragua Coffee 

Volcanica has done some pretty incredible things with coffee in recent years.

I’ve come to like Volcanica a lot as a roast in the last year or so.

This Jinotega Nicaraguan is near the top of my list in terms of the coffees you need to try.

The washed process keeps the flavors crisp, clean, and focused. When you brew, you won’t get muddled cups or off flavors.

And the softer medium roast keeps everything balanced and mellow. No flavor is overwhelming or overpowering. It’s a really smooth and drinkable coffee.

The notes of apple, cherry, raspberry, and rose are incredible and unique, even for a Nicaraguan coffee. It’s a lighter coffee for sure, but still delicious and tasty.

And it’s a micro-lot coffee. That means it comes from one crop from one farm instead of a blend of farms. You’re getting the most specific flavor profile possible.

The only thing is that because it’s so specific, it really shouldn’t be mixed with cream and sugar.

Pros

• The washed process keeps this coffee crisp, clear, and focused, so you don’t get muddled cups
• The medium roast keeps the flavors balanced and mellow, no flavor is overwhelming or overpowering
• The notes of apple, cherry, raspberry, and rose are incredible and unique, even for a Nicaraguan coffee
• It’s a micro-lot coffee, so you’re getting one crop from one farm instead of a blend of crops

Cons

• Because it’s such a specific coffee, it shouldn’t be mixed with cream and sugar

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Lifeboost Bourbon Barrel 

Barrel-aged coffees are a relatively new addition to the coffee world. Basically, it means that the green coffee beans are kept in bourbon barrels for a while before being roasted.

The process imparts a bourbon aroma to the coffee when you open a bag and brew.

It’s just another way for roasters to add dimensions to their coffees.

This Lifeboost Bourbon Barrel is a great specialty coffee to start with.

The medium roast keeps the flavors balanced and clean. It’s not too bright and not too bitter for the bourbon aroma.

The bourbon aroma itself is strong and adds to the coffee without being too in your face.

And it’s small-batch roasted. That means that you’re more likely to get the freshest possible roast when you order.

And it’s still a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee. When you order this coffee, you still get a specific and focused flavor profile.

The only downside is that the bourbon aroma doesn’t stick around too long and needs a delicate brew.

Pros

• The medium roast keeps the flavor profile balanced and clean, it’s not too bright and not too bitter
• The bourbon barrel aroma is strong and adds to the coffee without being too in your face
• It’s small-batch roasted, which means you’re more likely to get the freshest possible roast when you order
• It’s still a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee, so you’re still getting a specific and focused flavor profile

Cons

• The bourbon barrel aroma doesn’t stick around too long and needs a delicate brew

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Volcanica Nicaragua Mango Honey Coffee 

Sometimes I come across coffees that are too interesting and delicious to leave off lists.

It’s a mango honey processed coffee. Basically, that means that the beans were allowed to dry with some of the natural coatings of the coffee cherry.

This process imparts more rounded flavors to the coffee.

It’s a flavor-bomb coffee, no matter how you like to brew it. From pour-over to batch, you’ll still be able to tell just how good this coffee is.

This coffee almost doesn’t even taste like coffee. Instead, it tastes like candied mango, honey, and sugar.

And I really mean that. It almost tastes artificial. You really should give this a shot.

It’s a micro-lot as well. That means you’re still getting the most specific flavor profile possible.

The medium roast keeps everything nice and balanced. It also makes it easier to brew at home.

The only downside is that because it’s such a unique coffee, it really shouldn’t be mixed with cream and sugar.

Pros

• The medium roast is a great balance for the unique flavors and ease of brewing at home
• The mango honey process means you get a flavor-bomb coffee that tastes incredible no matter how you brew
• It’s a micro-lot coffee, which means you’re getting the most specific flavor profile possible
• The notes of candied mango, honey, and sugar are incredible and almost don’t taste like coffee at all

Cons

• Because it’s such a unique coffee, it really shouldn’t be mixed with cream and sugar

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Lifeboost Caramel Macchiato 

Sometimes adding flavors to coffee is a great way to break up the bitter taste.

And it’s a great way to cut back on the amount of sugar you have to add.

Lifeboost has a great lineup of flavored coffees to choose from. But the Caramel Macchiato beans are my favorite.

The added caramel and vanilla flavors don’t overpower the coffee. You still get a good and balanced cup.

And the medium roast keeps the coffee itself pretty smooth. The coffee isn’t too bitter, and the added flavors don’t make the coffee too sweet, either.

But this is still a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee. That means you still get the full and specific flavor profile.

Lifeboost coffee is USDA Organic, and Fair Trade certified. That means you can be sure that this coffee was held to high production standards.

The only downside is that the added flavors take away from the full spectrum of Nicaraguan coffee flavors.

Pros

• The added caramel and vanilla flavors don’t overpower the coffee, and you still get a good and balanced cup
• The medium roast keeps the coffee mellow and smooth without being too bitter or too sweet
• It’s still a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee, which means you still get a focused and specific flavor profile
• It’s USDA Organic and Fair Trade-certified coffee, so you can be sure that it was held to high production standards

Cons

• Because of the added flavors, you don’t get the full spectrum of Nicaraguan coffee flavors

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Café Las Flores Grandes Cosechas Gourmet Coffee 

Almost always, roasters aren’t based in the countries where they source coffee from.

But not always.

Cafe Las Flores is a Nicaraguan coffee brand doing great work at the moment.

Cafe Las Flores sources high-quality Nicaraguan Arabica beans. And it roasts them in-country before shipping them off to folks like you and me.

Grandes Cosechas is a phenomenal blend that is absolutely worth a shot.

The medium roast keeps the coffee balanced and smooth. The flavors don’t overpower the cup.

It’s a fragrant and sweet coffee with notes of chocolate. That makes it a great option for adding cream and sugar or drinking straight.

And it’s 100% Arabica beans, which are tastier and of higher quality than Robusta beans.

The only downside is that this is still a blend. It is a blend of Nicaraguan coffee beans, but you aren’t getting the specific flavor profile that you would with a micro-lot coffee.

Pros

• Cafe Las Flores is a Nicaraguan roaster, which means the beans don’t leave Nicaraguan until they ship to you
• The medium roast keeps everything balanced and smooth, the flavors don’t overpower the cup
• It’s a fragrant and sweet coffee with notes of chocolate, and it makes for a rich and rounded flavor profile
• It’s 100% Arabica beans, which are better and tastier than Robusta beans or any Robusta/Arabica blend

Cons

• It’s a blend of Nicaraguan coffees, so you don’t get the most specific flavor profile as you would with a micro-lot

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Nespresso Capsules OriginalLine Nicaragua Master Origin Coffee 

Nespresso has some incredible coffees for being single-serve coffee pods.

This Master Origin Nicaraguan coffee is a great addition to your Nespresso lineup.

It’s a Black-Honey processed coffee, which means that some of the coffee cherries were allowed to dry with the beans.

The idea is that more of the cherry flavors get into the beans. And that’s true. This coffee is super flavorful.

And it’s still a single-origin coffee from Nicaragua. So you’re still getting the full Nicaraguan flavor profile.

It’s a medium-light roast. That means that you get a touch of acidity and brightness without sacrificing the bold roundness that’s perfect for brewing espresso.

The smaller serving size of these pods makes them perfect for brewing espresso drinks.

The only downside is that these pods only work with OriginalLine machines and only produce espresso shots.

Pros

• The Black-Honey process means the beans are more flavorful
• It’s still a single-origin coffee from Nicaragua, so you’re getting a full Nicaraguan flavor profile
• The medium-light roast gives the coffee just a little brightness but enough boldness to keep the coffee rich and flavorful
• The smaller serving size makes for the perfect espresso

Cons

• These pods only work on OriginalLine machines and only produce espresso shots

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Tiny Footprint Coffee Nicaragua Segovia Dark Roast

It’s no secret that coffee isn’t the greatest for the environment.

Luckily for us, Tiny Footprint is a roaster trying to change that. This is a carbon-negative coffee.

Some proceeds go towards reforestation efforts in Ecuador.

It’s a great conscious buy.

But beyond that, it’s also a great coffee.

The dark roast means this is a smoky and bold coffee that’s perfect for brewing strong and drinking with cream and sugar.

The notes of chocolate are mixed with more traditional flavors. Flavors of apricot, fig, and spices make a rounded and interesting flavor profile.

And it’s roasted in small batches, which means you’re more likely to get the freshest possible roast when you order.

The only downside is that you do lose some of their unique flavors in the dark roast that you would otherwise find in a lighter roast.

Pros

• This is actually a carbon-negative coffee, some proceeds go to reforestation efforts in Ecuador, so it’s good for the environment
• The dark roast gives this coffee a smoky and bold flavor that’s perfect for brewing strong and drinking with cream and sugar
• Notes of chocolate are mixed with traditional flavors of apricot, fig, and spices to make a rounded and interesting profile
• It’s roasted in small batches, which means you’re likely to get the freshest roast possible when you order

Cons

• You do lose some of the more unique flavors in the dark roast that you would otherwise find in a lighter roast

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Cafe Ole Organics Nicaraguan Dark Roast Single Serve K-Cups 

There will always be a special place in my heart for Keurig coffees. I grew up drinking Keurig coffees before school.

So I understand the need to find great K-Cups and how hard it can sometimes be.

These Cafe Ole Nicaraguan Dark Roasts K-Cups are some of my all-time favorites.

The dark roast gives the coffee a smoky flavor with mild acidity. That’s essential for me when brewing with a Keurig. It makes the coffee versatile and tasty, no matter the machine or settings.

And it’s still 100% Arabica beans. Arabica beans are tastier and better than any Arabica/Robusta blend.

The depth of this coffee means it’s perfect for brewing with different strengths on your Keurig machine. And it’s great for adding cream or sugar.

But it’s still a single-origin coffee. You’ll still get the full and specific Nicaraguan flavor profile in these K-Cups.

The only thing to note is that these pods are only compatible with Keurig 2.0 machines.

Pros

• The dark roast gives these K-Cups a smoky flavor with a mild acidity that’s perfect for brewing with a Keurig
• It’s organic Nicaragua coffee, so you know it’s not treated with chemicals
• The depth of this coffee makes it perfect for brewing in different strengths on your Keurig machine
• It’s still a single-origin coffee, so you’re still getting a specific and focused flavor profile

Cons

• It’s only compatible with Keurig 2.0 machines

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Patria Nicaragua Dark Roast Ground Coffee 

It’s important to try different roasters from time to time. You never quite know when one will surprise you.

Patria certainly did with this Nicaraguan blend.

First of all, it’s 100% Arabica beans. Arabica beans are simply better and tastier than any Robusta beans.

The dark roast gives the Arabica beans a mild acidity and notes of deep stonefruit. Plus, a few notes of floral and citrus.

The flavor profile means that it’s super versatile. It can be brewed however you like with great results.

Patria actually suggests brewing with a French Press.

The beans are all from high-elevation farms, which means they are heartier and sweeter than beans grown at lower elevations.

And it’s still a single-origin coffee. You’re still getting the full Nicaraguan coffee experience.

The only thing to note is that it’s a blend of Nicaraguan farms. You’re not getting as specific a profile as you would with a micro-lot coffee.

Pros

• 100% Arabica beans mean you’re getting only the best Nicaraguan beans possible
• The dark roast gives this coffee a mild acidity and tasting notes of deep stonefruit and a few floral and citrus flavors
• The beans are from high-elevation farms, which means they will be heartier and sweeter than other beans
• This is still a single-origin coffee, so you’re getting the full Nicaraguan coffee experience

Cons

• It’s a blend of Nicaraguan farms, so you’re not getting as specific a profile as you would otherwise with a micro-lot

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How To Buy Nicaraguan Coffee

I know that I just gave you a lot of options.

So now let’s talk briefly about how to actually go about making a good decision when it comes to buying Nicaraguan coffee beans.

There are a few things that I look for. Let’s break down each one.

What Roast Level is the Best?

This is more or less up to personal preference.

After all, each roast level has different characteristics. For example, dark roasts are generally better for adding cream and sugar because they are bolder and richer.

But lighter roasts have more unique and interesting flavors.

When it comes to Nicaraguan coffee, it’s actually tough to find light roasts. Typically you’ll find medium or dark roasts.

I prefer medium roasts for their versatility and flavor profiles. But if you’re looking for a bold coffee that can be brewed strong, find a dark roast.

BOTTOM LINE
It’s up to you. Go for a medium roast if you like versatility and unique flavors. But go with a dark roast if you like strong and bold coffee.

Is There a Region You Should Look For?

It is true that each specific region within a coffee-growing country has its own characteristics and flavor profiles.

However, unless you have your brews down to a literal science and have a developed coffee-tasting palate, it’s impossible to know the difference.

That’s why I always recommend worrying more about the single-origin aspect of coffee instead of the regions within countries.

Why is single-origin so important? Because it’s a little easier to tell the difference. As a general rule of thumb, roasters save the best beans for their single-origin coffees.

BOTTOM LINE
Worry about finding unblended single-origin coffees. Don’t worry so much about specific growing regions within Nicaragua.

How Are The Beans Grown?

The actual conditions of coffee production matter less than the quality of the coffee bean or the roast.

But it’s an interesting thing to think about.

In general, the higher the elevation where the coffee plant grows, the higher the quality of the beans. Higher-elevation coffees will be sweeter, denser, and easier to work with than coffees grown at lower elevations.

But it’s not a make-or-break aspect of coffee.

Another thing to think about is the micro-lot aspect. 

Coffee can still be single-origin and blended. How? By using a blend of beans from different Nicaraguan coffee farms.

Instead, you can look for micro-lot coffees. That’s a fancy way of saying beans from a single farm instead of a blend.

BOTTOM LINE
The higher the elevation, the better the beans. And look for micro-lot beans. Those beans come from a single coffee farm instead of blended.

My Final Verdict

I’m sticking with the Lifeboost Pacamara Limited Collection as my overall recommendation for the best Nicaraguan coffee.

It’s a single-estate quality coffee that comes from one farm instead of blended.

It has notes of orange zest, chocolate, and toffee. It’s a rounded and interesting profile.

It’s a medium roast that’s balanced, mellow, and super drinkable.

Overall it’s a mighty good coffee that deserves a lot of consideration.