Sixth Gear Coffee El Zancudo

Introducing Sixth Gear Coffee El Zancudo: A Resilient Blend with a Rich Legacy

Journey into the heart of Jinotega, Nicaragua, and discover the embodiment of coffee resilience and expertise in Sixth Gear Coffee’s El Zancudo. Harnessing the distinguished castillo varietal, this blend encapsulates a story of innovation, endurance, and passion.

Historical Significance: The castillo varietal holds a storied lineage. It owes its existence to researcher Jamie Castillo, who ingeniously crossbred the caturra and timor-hybrid varietals. Recognizing its potential, the Colombian government initiated the widespread replacement of caturra crops with castillo in 2005, aiming to enhance productivity and bolster rust resistance. Today, castillo graces roughly 40% of Colombia’s coffee landscapes and is celebrated for its delightful acidity and pronounced floral character.

El Zancudo’s Origin Story: The tale of how El Zancudo’s coffee graced the fields of Finca Misericordia is one of adaptability. Introduced in 2015, it was a countermeasure against a coffee rust outbreak in the region. Obtained through a fortuitous exchange with a dear friend for red catuai crop seeds, this coffee became a symbol of resilience and friendship.

Processing Excellence: El Zancudo stands out not just for its origin, but for its meticulous processing. Handpicked at optimal ripeness, each bean undergoes floating to separate imperfections, followed by pulping, fermenting, and drying. Post-processing, the beans are diligently sorted to maintain uniformity, ensuring only seeds between 14/64th’s and 16/64th’s of an inch make the cut.

Reliability: Amidst a backdrop where the authenticity of coffee seeds is sometimes dubious, the castillo variety is a beacon of trustworthiness. The Colombian government’s efforts have made the castillo seeds easily accessible, reducing mislabeling and deceit in the market.

Farm: El Zancudo
Altitude: 1350 MASL
Region: Jinotega, Nicaragua
Processing: Washed Process
Strength: 4th Gear (Medium-Full Bodied)
Tasting Notes: Orange Blossom, Dark Chocolate, Brown Sugar
Specialty: Espresso (1:2 ratio)
Bag Size: 8 oz (226.8 g)
Bean Type: Whole Bean