TheAmsterdam roastery Good Beans brings a winter limited edition from the Nicaraguan mountains of Nueva Segovia. It is a joy from the first sniff: a distinctly fruity coffee with a tropical signature. Dominant notes of pineapple, star fruit , and mango are complemented by a juicy hint of passion fruit and alight spark of grapefruit.The sweetness is distinct and "syrupy," with a subtle hint of maple syrup in the aftertaste; the body is smooth yet lively, with medium, pleasant acidity—just right for long, flavorful sips. This is a winter filter that will warm you up without being heavy: modern, juicy, and beautifully clean for V60, Chemex, and batch brew.
Behind the beans is producer Gonzalo Castillo, a legend of the northern mountains of Nueva Segovia. His farm sits on steep terraces, and each coffee tree grows under a natural canopy of trees and among rich undergrowth—moss, shade trees, and nitrogen-fixing canavalia that nourishes the soil. Gonzalo's approach is purely regenerative: no herbicides, biologically based plant protection, a 10-meter protective zone along the riverbed, and annual doses of compost from carefully decomposed coffee pulp and his own microorganisms. After 45 years in coffee, he has become a local pillar of support for neighboring producers – sharing methods, providing hands-on training, and demonstrating that sustainability can go hand in hand with excellent flavor. He has also involved his three children (all trained doctors) in the work, who are skilled in farm management, cupping, and the art of barista. The result is a raw material with natural sweetness, brightness, and structure.
Processing: honey. Fully ripe cherries are peeled, leaving some of the mucilage on the beans. This is followed by slow drying on raised beds in the shade, with regular turning and careful moisture control to concentrate the sweetness and keep the profile crystal clear. The honey process naturally enhances the tropical fruitiness and gives the cup a smooth "syrupy" texture, while allowing the citrus sparkle to shine through, making the coffee feel fresh even on cold days. No heavy ferments, just a balanced combination of pineapple, carambola, mango, passion fruit, and grapefruit, supported by a delicate maple sweetness in the finish. A limited winter edition that drinks itself—and disappears suspiciously quickly.